2026-08-03
The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) has approved the Rs. 71.7 billion relief package allocated through Supplementary Estimate No. 03 of 2026 to provide relief to those affected by the economic repercussions arising from the conflict in the Middle East.
The Committee also reviewed the allocations made under the relief package introduced by the Government to ease the burden on people affected by the prevailing economic difficulties, as well as the manner in which the funds are to be utilized.
These matters were discussed when the Committee on Public Finance met in Parliament on 28 July under the Chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva.
Hon. Deputy Ministers Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne and Nishantha Jayawickrema, Hon. MP Ravi Karunanayake, and officials representing the relevant State institutions attended the meeting. Hon. Members of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Chitral Fernando, Thilina Samarakoon and Wiresiri Basnayake, joined the proceedings virtually.
During the discussion, it was revealed that the largest allocation under the Rs. 71.7 billion relief package, amounting to Rs. 52.8 billion, has been earmarked for the petroleum sector. Officials informed the Committee that the allocation was made to offset potential losses arising from increased fuel landing costs and to ensure the uninterrupted supply of fuel, thereby preventing possible shortages in the country.
Officials further explained that the Rs. 71.7 billion allocation consists of two components. The first is Rs. 52.8 billion reallocated to settle payments relating to relief measures, including fuel subsidies provided during May and June 2026. The second is Rs. 18.9 billion reallocated to replenish the annual budget contingency reserve, which had been utilized to finance the April 2026 fuel subsidy for the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and other fuel suppliers, fertilizer subsidies for smallholder tea growers, and assistance provided to the fisheries sector.
The Committee was informed that, similar to the Rs. 20 billion Supplementary Estimate reviewed on 11 June 2026, this request would not increase either the expenditure ceiling or the borrowing limit for 2026. It was clarified that the proposal represents only a reallocation of already approved budgetary provisions.
It was also disclosed that the entire Rs. 71.7 billion allocation will be financed from the unutilized balance of the Rs. 500 billion Supplementary Estimate No. 01 of 2026, which had been allocated for relief and recovery measures following Cyclone Ditwah. As at 30 June 2026, only Rs. 243.9 billion of that allocation had been utilized.
Accordingly, the Committee noted that the fuel subsidy should be viewed as a consumer relief measure rather than a subsidy granted to fuel companies, and that it is a temporary intervention introduced in response to the prevailing circumstances.
The Committee was further informed that fuel suppliers, including the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, received subsidies amounting to approximately Rs. 20,507 million for April 2026 alone. Of this amount, Rs. 15,000 million was allocated to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, Rs. 2,340 million to Lanka IOC PLC, Rs. 1,501 million to Sinopec, and Rs. 1,666 million to RM Parks.
The Committee also discussed the overall distribution of the Rs. 71.7 billion relief package, under which Rs. 15 billion has been allocated to the Ceylon Electricity Board, Rs. 8.2 billion for the Aswesuma programme, Rs. 3 billion to support agricultural activities during the Yala cultivation season, Rs. 2.2 billion for smallholder plantation farmers, and Rs. 1.2 billion for the fisheries sector.
The Road Development Authority also briefed the Committee on the progress of projects undertaken following the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Officials stated that the Governments of India and China have pledged assistance for the reconstruction of damaged bridges. They further informed the Committee that construction of the Galagedara and Rambukkana interchanges of the Central Expressway is expected to be completed by the end of 2028. It was also noted that tenders have already been called for the electricity supply system for the expressways and that work is expected to commence within the next three months.
The Committee also discussed the potential impact of the El Niño phenomenon. Chair of the Committee, Hon. Dr. Harsha de Silva, emphasized the importance of strengthening the Disaster Management Statutory Fund to enable the country to respond more effectively to future climate-related events.
In addition, the Committee held an extensive discussion on the determination of the salary of the Auditor General. Views were also exchanged on matters relating to the public sector salary structure. The Committee decided to continue deliberations on these matters at a future meeting before reaching a final decision.
2026-11-13
The Prevention of Foreign Terrorist Fighters Bill received the approval of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations.The Bill was considered and approved when the Sectoral Oversight Committee met recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament (Attorney-at-Law) Lakmali Hemachandra. The Bill has been presented to give effect to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2178, adopted on 24 September 2014, which addresses the prevention and suppression of the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters, and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.The Bill was presented to Parliament for its First Reading on 20 October by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.Officials explained to the Committee that legal action could be instituted in Sri Lanka under this Act in cases where an offence has been committed within or outside Sri Lanka by a Sri Lankan citizen or a citizen of another country, provided that the act in question also constitutes an offence under the law of the relevant country.Officials further informed the Committee that engaging in terrorist activities, planning or preparing such activities, participating in them, as well as providing or receiving terrorist training, have been defined as offences under the proposed Act.The officials also emphasized that these legal provisions had not been introduced on an ethnic basis or with the intention of targeting Sri Lankans residing overseas.Following an extensive discussion, the Committee approved the Bill. However, Hon. Member of Parliament Sivagnanam Shritharan, a member of the Committee, expressed his opposition to the Bill.Hon. Members of Parliament Suranga Rathnayake, Thilina Samarakoon, Wijesiri Basnayake and Sivagnanam Shritharan, among others, attended the Committee meeting. Government officials representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Ministry of Defence, the Attorney General’s Department and the Legal Draftsman’s Department were also present.
2026-11-13
Salary anomalies arising when teachers are appointed to the Sri Lanka Principals’ Service were discussed at length at a subcommittee appointed by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital.These matters were discussed when the subcommittee met recently under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Sunil Rajapaksa.Representatives of trade unions of the Sri Lanka Principals’ Service and officials representing the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development participated in the meeting.Trade union representatives pointed out that one of the main reasons for these salary anomalies was the fact that the transition from the Teachers’ Service to the Principals’ Service was treated as a “new appointment” rather than a promotion.They further noted that the situation was exacerbated by the significant difference in salary increments when teachers in Grade I of the Teachers’ Service are appointed to Grade III of the Principals’ Service.They also pointed out that although an adjustment allowance had been granted to compensate for the salary difference arising from the appointment to the Principals’ Service, a further salary disparity emerges over time. This is because officers do not receive the higher salary increments, they would have been entitled to had they remained in the Teachers’ Service.It was further emphasized that this situation has discouraged senior and experienced teachers serving in Grades I and II-I of the Teachers’ Service from sitting for the Principals’ Service examination and joining the Principals’ Service.The Chairman of the Subcommittee stated that, having considered the matters presented to the Committee, steps would be taken to submit the relevant recommendations to the Salaries and Pensions Commission for Public Officers.In addition, the Subcommittee decided to hold discussions with the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and the Director General of Establishments to address other issues faced by officers serving in the Principals’ Service.Hon. Members of Parliament Abubakar Athambawa, Sugath Wasantha de Silva and Chanaka Madugoda also attended the meeting.
2026-11-12
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital discussed the operations of state institutions under the education, higher education and vocational education sectors, the progress of development projects, existing challenges and future plans. The Committee met recently (Nov. 06) at Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament, Attorney-at-Law Hesha Withanage Ankubura Arachchi. During the meeting, the financial and physical progress of the budgetary allocations made to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education for 2026 was reviewed.Discussions focused on the development of school buildings and infrastructure, education reforms, the printing and distribution of textbooks, student welfare programmes and progress in teacher education. Delays in procurement and the shortage of technical officers encountered in implementing the relevant development projects were also discussed.Officials also briefed the Committee on the performance of the Department of Examinations of Sri Lanka and the Department of Educational Publications, including the conduct of examinations and plans for the production and distribution of textbooks. The importance of providing necessary educational facilities for children with special needs was also emphasized.Furthermore, discussions were held on the distribution of school uniforms and the payment of student allowances under school welfare programmes. Officials also informed the Committee about the introduction of a new computerized system to expedite the payment of student allowances and the arrangements being made to transfer the funds directly to students' bank accounts.The operations and development plans of institutions in the higher education and vocational training sectors were also reviewed. These included universities, the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission of Sri Lanka, the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA), and the Ceylon-German Technical Training Institute (CGTTI).During the meeting, the Committee Chairman instructed all relevant institutions to submit comprehensive reports on their financial and physical progress to the Committee. He also emphasized the importance of submitting these reports within the stipulated timeframes.The Committee further decided to summon the relevant institutions not only at the end of each year but also midway through the year to review the progress of development activities.In addition, the financial and physical progress of the budgetary allocations made to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the institutions functioning under it for 2026 was also reviewed.Members of the Committee, Secretaries to the Ministries of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, and Youth Affairs and Sports, along with a number of other officials, attended the meeting.
2026-11-12
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Science, Technology and Digital Transformation focused on several key issues, including the introduction of regulations and standards for electric vehicles and their battery technology, improving the performance of state research institutions, and commercializing innovations.At a recent meeting of the Committee, held in Parliament recently under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Janaka Senarathna, the following reports were considered: the Annual Report of the Sri Lanka National Engineering Research and Development Centre (NERDC) for 2022; the Annual Report of the National Science and Technology Commission for 2023; the Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission for 2024; and the Annual Performance Report of the Ministry of Science and Technology for 2025.Discussions focused on the electric vehicle and battery testing facilities available at the Sri Lanka National Engineering Research and Development Centre (NERDC). It was revealed that the institution has the capacity to test a range of battery parameters, including capacity, durability and lifespan.However, attention was also drawn to issues arising from the absence of mandatory regulations and standards governing electric vehicles, batteries, controllers and charging stations imported into the country. Accordingly, officials stressed to the Committee the need to establish relevant standards and make testing and certification compulsory.The Committee also discussed the technology involved in converting fuel vehicles into electric vehicles, the need for training programmes, and the development of standards and regulatory mechanisms to ensure the safety of such vehicles.Attention was further drawn to the shortage of human resources in research and development institutions and the need for appropriate salary and allowance schemes to attract and retain qualified engineers and researchers. Officials also highlighted the importance of improving the performance of state research institutions, addressing existing shortcomings, effectively managing research outcomes, and consolidating institutions carrying out similar functions.The Committee also discussed the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission's electric fencing projects aimed at mitigating the threat posed by wild elephants, the establishment of incubation centres affiliated with universities, and plans to promote innovation through digital platforms. Officials informed the Committee that three of the four electric fencing projects implemented to date were operating successfully.Furthermore, discussions were held on a proposal to amend the Intellectual Property Act to introduce a ‘Petty Patent system’, with the aim of protecting the intellectual property rights of inventors and expediting the commercialization of inventions.Hon. Members of Parliament Lasith Bashana Gamage, Chathura Galappaththi, Thanura Dissanayake, Attorney-at-Law Hasara Liyanage and Chandima Hettiarachchi, along with a number of officials from the Ministry of Science and Technology, attended the meeting.
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