2026-07-08
News Categories : Committee News
Hon. Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Government will introduce a Cluster Bus Company System to improve public transportation, adding that Cabinet approval for the initiative was recently granted.
The Minister made these remarks yesterday (7th July) while chairing the meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways and Urban Development in Parliament.
He further stated that the scheme will initially be implemented as a pilot project on bus routes 177, 170 and 190.
The Minister also said that the previous four categories of bus services; normal, semi-luxury, luxury and super-luxury have been streamlined by removing the semi-luxury and super-luxury categories. Referring to the Semi-Luxury category, the Minister stated that a related court case is currently pending and that the relevant facts will be presented before the court.
Minister Rathnayake further pointed out that it is not equitable to apply a single fare formula to both long-distance and short-distance bus services. Given the higher operating costs associated with long-distance services, a separate methodology will be introduced to determine fares for long-distance buses. He emphasized that the Government is committed to safeguarding both the bus industry and passengers.
The Chair of the Committee also sought clarification from officials on whether bus fares could be reduced following recent fuel price decreases. Officials explained that although fuel prices have declined, other operating costs remain high, limiting the scope for fare reductions.
The Committee also discussed a range of issues including reducing road accidents, establishing dedicated lanes for bicycles and motorcycles, road development projects, and complaints from passengers regarding the failure to receive correct change from bus conductors. Officials were instructed to take the necessary action on these matters.
The Chair further directed officials to intervene promptly to resolve issues raised by Members of Parliament relating to the transport and urban development sectors.
The Committee also agreed that regulations made by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development under the Motor Traffic Act (No. 203), and published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2480/22 dated 19 March 2026, should be submitted to Parliament for approval following the Committee's consideration.
The regulations extend the concessionary period granted for fitting seat belts to seats in vehicles travelling on expressways where seat belts were not originally installed by the manufacturer. As the Committee observed that the previous grace period was insufficient, it has been extended from 20 March 2026 until 19 June 2026.
The meeting was attended by Hon. Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, several Members of Parliament, and officials representing the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development.
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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