2026-03-24
News Categories : Committee News
The Select Committee of Parliament to conduct a comprehensive study on the lack of preparedness to face Cyclone Ditwah and report to Parliament and submit its proposals and recommendations in that regard, met for the first time on 19.03.2026 at Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Minister (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa.
Addressing the meeting, the Chair emphasized the importance of gaining a clear understanding of how the relevant responsible institutions operate during natural disasters such as Cyclone Ditwah, in order to effectively carry forward the work of the Committee. Accordingly, it was decided to summon officials from the Disaster Management Centre, the Department of Meteorology, the Department of Irrigation, and the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka to the next two committee meetings to obtain the necessary preliminary briefings.
It was also proposed that, given the subject-specific scope of the Committee, officials possessing technical expertise and specialized knowledge in relevant fields should be called before the Committee from time to time to assist in understanding complex technical matters.
The Chair noted that the Committee is required to submit its report to Parliament within three months from the date of its first meeting by 19.06.2026. Accordingly, efforts will be made to hold meetings promptly and prepare the report, including relevant recommendations, within this timeframe. He further stated that, in addition to proposals related to the Committee’s scope, the report is expected to include recommendations aimed at establishing a stronger mechanism to effectively respond to future events similar to Cyclone Ditwah.
The meeting was attended by Hon. Members of Parliament Anuradha Jayaratne (Attorney-at-Law), Hector Appuhamy, Rohini Kumari Wijerathna, M.K.M. Aslam, Anushka Thilakaratne (Attorney-at-Law), Kanthasamy Prabhu, Ruwan Mapalagama, and (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam. Hon. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa also attended with the special permission of the Chair.
2026-03-24
Deputy Minister of Health, Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni, stated that disability should be viewed not only from a medical perspective but also from social and human rights perspectives. He made these remarks while participating in an awareness programme on service delivery for persons with disabilities, held on 20th March 2026, at the auditorium of the National Epilepsy Centre of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL).Although Sri Lanka has made some progress in this area compared to other countries in the region, he noted that persons with disabilities still face numerous physical, communication, and attitudinal barriers when accessing healthcare services. He emphasized that the government is committed to implementing necessary policy changes to identify social barriers, enhance awareness, and bring about attitudinal change. He also highlighted the importance of providing health information in multiple accessible formats for persons with disabilities.The Deputy Minister further stressed the importance of systematically sensitizing healthcare staff to deliver services based on equality and dignity, going beyond the traditional medical model. He also appreciated the contribution made by the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities in this regard.This programme was the second in a series of awareness programmes conducted at the ministry level as part of the action plan of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities. The workshop aimed to educate officials on inclusive service delivery within the health sector and was organized by the Caucus with the support of the Australian Government and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).Chairman of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities, Hon. Member of Parliament Sugath Wasantha de Silva, stated that this series of awareness programmes is a step towards ensuring an “unrestricted social life” for persons with disabilities. While appreciating the country’s free healthcare system, he pointed out that more than 1.6 million persons with disabilities in Sri Lanka still face physical and attitudinal barriers in accessing healthcare services. He emphasized that access to healthcare is a fundamental right linked to the right to life.He further proposed that a new perspective on disability, along with a specialized module, should be included in the curricula of medical and nursing colleges to ensure that future healthcare professionals are sensitized from the early stages of their training.Deputy Co-Chair of the Caucus, Hon. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam, President of the Disability Organizations Joint Front (DOJF), Ashoka Weerawardena, Professor Chamari Weeraratne of the Department of Pharmacology, University of Colombo, Deputy Director General of Health Services (Public Health), Dr. Vindya Kumarapeli, Director of the Youth, Elderly and Persons with Disabilities Unit of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Nishani Ubeysekara and representatives of the disabled community also shared their views.Several key issues were raised during the discussion, including the lack of sign language interpreters at hospital counters, difficulties faced due to high counters and surgical beds, the absence of toilets with commode facilities, and privacy concerns caused by “saloon-style doors” in accessible toilets. The need for priority identification cards for persons with intellectual disabilities who find it difficult to wait in queues was also highlighted.Officials noted that steps are being taken to develop infrastructure under World Bank and Asian Development Bank assistance, including accessibility features such as ramps, accessible toilets, and dedicated pharmacy counters. It was also revealed that pilot “Support Centers” staffed with personnel trained in basic sign language are being planned for primary hospitals.At the conclusion of the programme, it was proposed that persons with disabilities themselves should be employed at these Support Centers to ensure more effective, experience-based service delivery. Agreement was reached to take prompt follow-up action within the Ministry of Health on practical recommendations related to staff sensitization and the standardization of infrastructure.The programme was attended by officials of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities, Programme Officer of IFES Ms. Anojitha Sivaskaran and other representatives of the organization, as well as representatives from institutions and organizations working with persons with disabilities.
2026-03-24
The Committee focused on obstacles, challenges, and issues related to the administration of national parks in Sri Lanka Attention was given to issues concerning the licensing of fishing nets and other equipment used by the fishing community The Committee also examined issues related to the government’s paddy purchasing process and price determination over the past few years The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability met in Parliament on 04.03.2026 and 05.03.2026 under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Hector Appuhamy. During these meetings, discussions were held with officials from relevant institutions on several sectors requiring timely attention.Accordingly, the Committee held extensive discussions on the challenges, obstacles, and issues related to the administration of national parks in Sri Lanka, issues concerning the licensing of fishing nets and other equipment used by the fishing community and matters relating to how successive governments have carried out the paddy purchasing process and determined prices in recent years.Following discussions on national parks in Sri Lanka, the Committee recommended that a comprehensive report containing all relevant information on these parks be submitted. The Committee also decided to conduct inspection visits to the relevant national parks in order to identify existing issues and propose solutions, along with engaging in discussions with the necessary officials.The Committee also paid extensive attention to fishing nets and other equipment used by the fishing community. The Chair recommended that a report be submitted regarding fish imported into the country as raw material for canned fish production in recent years.Furthermore, the Committee focused on issues related to the paddy purchasing process carried out by governments over the past few years and the determination of prices. In this regard, the Committee recommended that a report be submitted including data for 2023, 2024, and 2025 on the total extent of cultivated land in the country, the extent actually cultivated, and the reasons for lands not being cultivated.Members of the Committee were present at these meetings.
2026-03-24
The Select Committee of Parliament to look into and report to Parliament on the matter of selecting the Electoral System under which the Provincial Council Elections should be held and submit its proposals and recommendations in that regard, met for the first time on 17th March 2026 at Parliament, under the chairmanship of the Hon. Minister Vijitha Herath.Addressing the Committee, the Chairman pointed out that a legal impediment has arisen in conducting Provincial Council Elections due to the failure to complete the delimitation process required for the implementation of the Mixed Member Proportional Representation system introduced under the provisions of the Act No. 17 of 2017, which amended the Provincial Councils Elections Act.Members representing the Opposition, expressing their views, highlighted that a majority of key public institutions, including those in the education and health sectors, are administered through Provincial Councils. They pointed out that the absence of Provincial Councils for nearly nine years has led to numerous issues. Accordingly, the Opposition members proposed that the elections be held under the previous Proportional Representation system, and that necessary steps be taken thereafter to amend the electoral system.The Chairman emphasized the importance of fostering a broader and more in-depth dialogue in formulating an electoral system that ensures mandatory representation of women and provides opportunities for youth representation in Local Government Elections.Highlighting the importance of obtaining a preliminary understanding of the existing legal framework relating to the conduct of these elections, the Chairman proposed that officials from the Attorney General’s Department and the Election Commission be summoned to the next meeting to obtain their views.The Chairman also reminded that the Committee is required to submit its report within three months from the date of its inaugural meeting.The meeting was attended by Hon. Deputy Ministers Arun Hemachandra, Sunil Watagala, and Munir Mulaffer, as well as Members of Parliament R. M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Mano Ganesan, Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam, Nizam Kariapper PC, Chandana Sooriyarachchi, Dharmapriya Wijesinghe, and Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi.
2026-03-19
The Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities recently held discussions with twelve ministries on the allocations made under the 2026 Budget for persons with disabilities and the progress of their implementation. The meeting was held in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Sugath Wasantha de Silva.Officials of the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development informed the Caucus that, as a pilot project commencing in April, ten low-floor buses will be deployed on two routes to facilitate the transportation needs of persons with disabilities. They further stated that there are plans to expand the service to six routes, noting that the establishment of accessible bus stops with facilities such as wheelchair access is essential. Upon the provision of such infrastructure, the service could be extended to additional routes.Officials of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education stated that an allocation of Rs. 50 million has been made in the 2026 Budget for a special programme aimed at supporting school attendance and providing educational opportunities for children with disabilities from low-income families.Representatives of the Ranaviru Seva Authority, participating on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, highlighted that 23,192 disabled members of the tri-forces and police, who were affected during the 30-year conflict, are currently under their care. They further noted that Rs. 864 million has been allocated in the 2026 Budget to uplift the living standards of these war heroes.Officials of the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment stated that Rs. 80 million has been allocated for vocational training programmes for youth with disabilities aged between 16 and 35 years. In addition, Rs. 17.4 million has been allocated through the Rehabilitation of the Visually Handicapped Trust Fund to provide scholarships and assistive devices for visually impaired university students.Officials representing the health sector of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media stated that a new ten-year national health policy covering the period from 2026 to 2035 is scheduled to be launched in April. They noted that special attention has been given within this policy to persons with disabilities and other vulnerable populations under the framework of Universal Health Coverage.Officials of the Ministry of Labour stated that, under an ongoing programme to promote employment among persons with disabilities, 750 individuals had been provided with employment between 2022 and 2025. They further stated that Rs. 5.75 million has been allocated in the 2026 Budget to continue these efforts.Officials of the Ministry of Digital Economy noted that provisions ensuring inclusivity of persons with disabilities have been incorporated into the proposed Digital Economy Act. They also stated that steps are being taken to develop a dedicated website containing accessible data and information for the disabled community.Officials of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development informed the Caucus that a substantial allocation of Rs. 19,000 million has been made under the ‘Aswesuma’ welfare programme to provide allowances for low-income persons with disabilities. In addition, Rs. 1,000 million has been allocated to improve accessibility. District Secretaries have been instructed to utilize these funds to enhance access and sanitation facilities in public places such as Divisional Secretariat offices, railway stations, bus stands, courts and police stations.The Caucus was also briefed by the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, and the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs on programmes planned under the 2026 Budget.The meeting was attended by Deputy Co-Chair of the Caucus, Hon. Hon. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathyalingam, and Hon. Members of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Susantha Dodawatta, Padmasiri Bandara, Chandima Hettiarachchi and Susantha Kumara Navaratne, along with a number of government officials. Representatives of the disabled community participated as observers at the invitation of the Chair, Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva. Officials from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) were also present.
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