2026-09-07
The 13th meeting of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities was held recently at Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva, Chair of the Caucus.
The meeting focused on the draft action plan of the Caucus prepared for the period from July 2026 to June 2027, and discussions were held on its implementation going forward.
Prepared with the technical assistance of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), the action plan has been developed under four key areas: parliamentary coordination and oversight; budget advocacy and accountability; legal and policy reforms; and accessible and inclusive public services. The meeting discussed future actions relating to each of these areas.
IFES Sri Lanka Deputy Director Mr. Indraka Ubesekara, Senior Programme Officer Ms. Anojitha Sivaskaran, and National Council for Persons with Disabilities member Mr. Tikiri Kumara Jayawardena briefed the Caucus on the work carried out to date and the plans for the future.
The importance of incorporating the views and needs of persons with disabilities into planning at the local level was also highlighted. Based on the experiences of district-level consultation programmes conducted in Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Kalutara and Polonnaruwa, it was noted that a similar programme is scheduled to be held in the Hambantota District in the future.
Discussions were also held on establishing an appropriate mechanism to ensure the active participation of the disability community in the preparation of local development plans through district-level accessibility audit committees and district coordinating committees. It was further pointed out that incorporating accessibility features from the initial stages of building and urban planning can help minimize the costly modifications that may otherwise be required at a later stage.
The meeting was also informed that a report comprising 234 policy and practical proposals, prepared with the participation of nearly 60 organizations representing the disability community for the 2027 National Budget, has already been submitted to the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Finance and relevant government institutions. The Caucus decided to closely monitor how these proposals are implemented and whether they result in tangible benefits for persons with disabilities.
Attention was also drawn to further strengthening the existing legal and policy framework to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities and ensure accessibility. It was decided to hold a special discussion with officials of the relevant ministries and the Legal Draftsman’s Department to inquire into the progress of the proposed “New Bill on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” and the “Sign Language Bill”, which are currently being drafted.
The meeting also discussed the need to update existing legal provisions and standards relating to accessibility for persons with disabilities in line with international best practices. Proposals were put forward to introduce accessibility guidelines for private-sector institutions and gradually incorporate them into the legal framework, as well as to implement a pilot project with several selected private institutions.
Special attention was also given to making public services more accessible and inclusive. The meeting discussed the findings of accessibility audits conducted at the Ministry of Labour’s “Mehewara Piyasa” building and Sethsiripaya Buildings Phases I and II. It was also noted that steps have been taken to ensure that the construction of Sethsiripaya Phase III is designed to be accessible to persons with disabilities from the outset.
In addition, programmes such as low-floor bus services, accessible tourism for persons with disabilities, and the “Friendly Cities” programme were identified as models for improving accessibility within public services. Attention was also drawn to removing accessibility barriers faced by persons with disabilities when accessing healthcare services.
Addressing the meeting at its conclusion, the Chair of the Caucus, Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva, stated that one of the Caucus’s primary objectives is to create an environment in which the disability community can lead free, independent and dignified lives without fear or uncertainty.
The Chair further stated that Parliament would continue to fulfil its role in giving priority to the voices of persons with disabilities when making decisions concerning them, and in ensuring their participation in every sector of society. He also expressed his appreciation to all Members of Parliament, IFES and other stakeholders who have contributed to this work.
The meeting was attended by Hon. Members of Parliament, including (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe, Attorney-at-Law Susantha Dodawatte, Padmasiri Bandara, (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath, Attorney-at-Law Bhagya Sri Herath and Chandima Hettiarachchi, among others.
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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