2026-06-08
News Categories : Committee News
The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus met in Parliament recently (5th June) to review the progress of investigations and discuss the next steps relating to the case concerning the abuse of a girl in the Anuradhapura area.
The meeting was chaired by the Chairperson of the Caucus and Hon. Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj. Officials representing the Attorney General’s Department, the National Child Protection Authority, the Department of Probation and Child Care Services and the Sri Lanka Police were invited to attend the meeting.
During the meeting, the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus instructed the relevant authorities to ensure that all ongoing investigations related to the incident are conducted strictly in accordance with court orders. The Caucus also requested that forensic reports and other medical reports relevant to the case be obtained without delay.
As court proceedings concerning the victimized girl are currently being conducted not only in Anuradhapura but also in Attanagalla and Dambulla, the Caucus instructed the National Child Protection Authority to intervene in monitoring those proceedings as well. A request was also made to take measures to minimize the repeated trauma experienced by the victimized girl as a result of her involvement in all three legal proceedings.
Furthermore, the Attorney General’s Department expressed its agreement with a request made by the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus to appear before the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court in order to facilitate judicial and legal processes and strengthen coordination among government institutions.
The Caucus also informed the Department of Probation and Child Care Services to continue paying close attention to matters relating to the girl’s education, health, and safety.
The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus further highlighted the importance of maintaining effective coordination among law enforcement agencies dealing with child abuse cases and agreed to take the necessary interventions in this regard in the future.
Moreover, it was decided that guidelines should be developed for media reporting and judicial proceedings relating to child abuse cases in a manner that safeguards the child’s privacy, security, and dignity. A subcommittee functioning under the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus will intervene in this process.
The subcommittee will also undertake future measures required to address and overcome the legal and practical challenges that arise in child abuse litigation.
Members of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemali Weerasekara, Hon. Members of Parliament (Attorney-at-Law) Hasara Liyanage, (Attorney-at-Law) Lakmali Hemachandra and (Attorney-at-Law) Sagarika Athauda attended the meeting. The Hon. Deputy Minister Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne, Hon. Members of Parliament (Attorney-at-Law) Thushari Jayasinghe and (Attorney-at-Law) Anushka Thilakarathne joined the meeting online.
2026-08-07
The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) of Parliament has approved the salary of the Auditor General following an extensive discussion on the salary and allowances attached to the office.The decision was taken when the Committee met in Parliament recently (Aug. 04) under the Chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva, with the participation of Hon. Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe and Nishantha Jayawera, and Hon. Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Nimal Palihena, Wijesiri Basnayake, M.K.M. Aslam, Thilina Samarakoon and Champika Hettiarachchi.The proposal relating to the salary of the Auditor General was taken up for consideration in terms of Article 153(2) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.During the discussion, the Chair and Committee Members exchanged views on the proposed salary level, taking into account the responsibilities of the Auditor General, the role in overseeing public finance, and the need to safeguard the independence of the national audit function.The Committee further observed that, in terms of Article 170 of the Constitution, the Auditor General is not a public officer and that, accordingly, special consideration may be given to determining the Auditor General's salary outside the existing public sector salary scale. Officials stated that the proposed salary had been determined after taking into account the salaries of previous Auditors General. They further noted that, while the salary had previously been determined by the National Salaries and Cadre Commission, no such Commission is currently in operation.While approving the proposed salary, the Committee was of the view that, given the significance of the office and the responsibilities entrusted to the Auditor General, the remuneration should be at a higher level. Accordingly, the Committee emphasized the need to give further consideration to the salary in the future and take any necessary decisions. The Chair of the Committee also proposed the establishment of a permanent and independent Salaries and Cadre Commission.
2026-08-07
Select Committee of Parliament to review the laws dealing with Elections (excluding laws dealing with Provincial Council Elections) and report to Parliament and submit its proposals and recommendations in that regard, has appointed an expert panel to review 31 proposals submitted by individuals and organisations on electoral reforms, together with reports of previous Parliamentary Select Committees on electoral reforms.The decision was taken when the Committee met recently at Parliament under the Chairmanship of the Hon. Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Prof. A.H.M.H. Abayarathna.During the meeting, the Committee held extensive discussions on electoral reforms based on the Parliamentary Select Committee reports issued in 2004, 2007 and 2022, as well as the 31 proposals submitted by individuals and organisations.The Committee considered several key proposals, including the introduction of a mixed electoral system for Local Government elections, ensuring the representation of minority parties and minority groups, increasing women's representation, introducing an electronic voting system, and providing facilities for early voting. Attention was also given to proposals on granting voting rights to Sri Lankans living overseas. The Committee emphasised the need for further study of the legal and administrative provisions required to implement such a system.The expert panel appointed by the Committee will analyse the 31 proposals received together with the reports of the previous Parliamentary Select Committees and prepare a report containing practical recommendations. The Committee decided to review the recommendations of the expert panel before taking further action.The meeting was attended by Committee Member, Hon. Minister Dr. Upali Pannilage, and Hon. Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Ruwanthilaka Jayakody, and Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan.
2026-08-07
The first in a series of regional workshops organized by the Parliamentary Caucus for Open Parliament Initiative will be held for the youth of the Gampaha District on 16 August at the Jetwing Blue Hotel in Negombo, according to the Caucus's Co-Chair, Hon. Member of Parliament Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam.Arrangements for the workshop were discussed at a meeting of the Parliamentary Caucus held on 5 August 2026, under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Shanakiyan Rasamanickam.The regional workshop series is being organized with the objective of further promoting the concept of Open Parliament through the active participation of young people. Members of the Parliamentary Caucus, together with Members of Parliament representing the Gampaha District, are expected to participate in the event.The workshops are intended to enhance awareness, particularly among young people, of the work of Parliament, the legislative process, and the principles of Open Parliament. They also seek to further strengthen the relationship between Parliament and the public by encouraging greater citizen engagement.The meeting was attended by members of the Parliamentary Caucus for Open Parliament Initiative as well as representatives of CII (Coalition for Inclusive Impact), the development partner providing support for the workshop series.Young men and women aged 18–35 years residing in the Gampaha District who wish to participate in the workshop are requested to register by completing the online application form via the following link:https://forms.gle/aVp5UzhLbtPSmVap8
2026-08-05
The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) wishes to inform the public that, during its meeting held on 08 October 2025 to examine the Audited Annual Reports for the years 2022 and 2023, as well as the current performance of the Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA), concerns arose regarding the conduct of two members of the Board of Directors of the Authority.The Committee noted that one of the officials attended the meeting in a manner that did not comply with the prescribed dress code applicable to appearances before Parliamentary Committees. In addition, both officials left the Committee proceedings without obtaining the prior permission of the Chair, contrary to established Parliamentary practice and procedure.Following these incidents, and pursuant to a question of privilege raised by the Hon. Chair of COPE, both officials appeared before the Committee on Ethics and Privileges on 17 February 2026 in connection with allegations of contempt of Parliament. During the proceedings, they tendered their sincere apologies for their conduct.After due deliberation, the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, together with the Chair of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), accepted their apologies, noting that the officials had acknowledged the gravity of their actions and demonstrated an understanding of the importance of respecting the authority, dignity, and established procedures of Parliamentary Committees.The Committee wishes to emphasize that all individuals appearing before Parliamentary Committees are expected to observe the highest standards of conduct, comply with parliamentary procedures, and uphold the dignity and authority of Parliament at all times.Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE)Parliament of Sri Lanka
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