2025-02-19
Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) disclosed that a sum of approximately Rs. 188 million has been issued in cheques for the Smart Youth Exhibition and Musical Concert, signed by the former Chairman of the National Youth Services Council on the day before the Presidential Election.
It was further disclosed that the former Chairman had signed these cheques without the approval of the Board of Directors, exerting pressure on officials, and that this took place the day before the 2024 Presidential Election. Accordingly, when questioned by the Committee, officials stated that cheques worth of approximately Rs. 100 million had been received by the Treasury on the eve of the Presidential Election and that the said cheques were issued given the pressure exerted by the former Chairman. They also stated that they were compelled to proceed with the payments upon the recommendation of the former Chairman, who was also the Chief Accounting officer of the National Youth Services Council at the time. Officials stated that failure to comply would have resulted in their transfers. Consequently, the issuance of cheques amounting to approximately Rs. 188 million took place on the evening before the Presidential Election, as further highlighted by the officials.
The COPE Chair, Hon. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera, pointed out that this was a highly sensitive issue. He stated that the former Chairman of the National Youth Services Council had misappropriated funds by using state officials as pawns. He also emphasized that officials should have the courage to oppose such actions. The COPE Chair urged all public officials to fulfill their assigned responsibilities without being misguided.
During the extensive discussion on this matter, it was pointed out that the then-Director Finance of the National Youth Services Council was present at the ongoing Committee meeting, however has remained silent throughout, making no remarks until the Committee came to an end. Members of COPE expressed their objection to his attempt to remain silent while his subbordinates were presenting statements. The Committee pointed out that such behavior misled the proceedings and stressed the need for disciplinary action against the individual.
It was further decided to summon the former Chairman of the National Youth Services Council before COPE, and to recall the institution for further discussions on the following day (Feb. 20).
The stated disclosures were made at the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), Chaired by Hon. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera, held yesterday (18) in Parliament. The session reviewed the Auditor General’s reports for 2022 and 2023 pertaining to the National Youth Services Council and Sri Lanka Youth Services (Private) Ltd., as well as the current operational performance and progress in implementing recommendations from the Committee on Public Enterprises meeting held on November 16th, 2021.
During the Committee meeting held, attention was also drawn to the allocation and expenditure of Rs. 538,080,000 by the National Youth Services Council for events held between the 8-month period of January to August 2024. These included the Smart Youth New Year Festival, National Youth Vesak Festival, National Youth Poson Zone, Jaffna District Youth Conference, 31st Night Youth Celebration, and the Smart Youth Exhibition and Musical Concert. It was disclosed that although Rs. 398 million had been allocated under the Youth Development Program of the Presidential Secretariat, the funds were not released due to deficiencies in the invoices.
Additionally, it was disclosed that, contrary to standard procedures of registering suppliers at the beginning of the year, the former Chairman of the National Youth Services Council had procured supplies from individuals of his choosing rather than through a proper tender process. Moreover, it was disclosed that cheques had been issued without the designated recipient being present, allowing them to be collected by other individuals.
Further concerns were raised regarding the lack of financial discipline within Sri Lanka Youth Services (Private) Ltd. and the failure to conduct internal audits. COPE also focused on the appointment of 25 officers holding permanent positions at the National Youth Services Council to positions within the National Youth Services Cooperative Society under both permanent and temporary carders. The implementation of prior decisions taken by the Committee on Public Enterprises was also examined.
Given the numerous irregularities identified, the Committee recommended that a report be submitted to COPE within a month regarding the necessity of the National Youth Services Council, Sri Lanka Youth Services (Private) Ltd., and the National Youth Services Cooperative Society, along with the other related matters.
Hon. Members of Parliament M.K.M. Aslam, Samanmali Gunasinghe, Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera, Sujeewa Dissanayake, ((Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah, Jagath Manuwarna, Ruwan Mapalagama, Sunil Rajapaksha, Darmapriya Wijesinghe, Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana, Thilina Samarakoon, Chandima Hettiarachchi, and Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney at Law.
2026-11-14
The financial crisis faced by SriLankan Airlines, frequent flight delays, debt burden and delays in procurement processes for acquiring new aircraft were discussed extensively at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development.These matters were discussed when the Committee met recently in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. S. M. Marikkar, Member of Parliament.During the meeting, concerns were raised over the inadequacy of the airline’s existing fleet of 23 aircraft, which are approximately 12 years old. Technical issues and operational delays arising from the ageing fleet were also discussed. It was pointed out that a technical fault or any other disruption involving a single aircraft could affect the entire flight network due to the limited availability of alternative aircraft.The Committee also focused on the failure of conventional procurement processes previously undertaken to acquire aircraft and the lengthy delays associated with them. It was stated that a special set of procurement guidelines had been prepared for the purchase of aircraft and related equipment, and arrangements were being made to gazette these guidelines. It was further revealed that a dedicated procurement unit had been established at the Ministry level to directly oversee the procurement process.Under the new procurement guidelines, plans are underway to expand the airline’s fleet. It is expected that one new narrow-body aircraft and two wide-body aircraft will be added to the fleet by next June. Officials also stated that increasing the fleet to at least 29 aircraft by 2029 is one of the key targets of the five-year plan.It was explained that several measures had been taken through the General Treasury to improve the financial position of SriLankan Airlines, including the takeover of outstanding bank loans and bond-related debt. Attention was also drawn to reducing aircraft leasing costs, managing fuel expenditure and implementing commercial strategies to increase the airline’s revenue.The impact of the prevailing crisis in the Middle East, rising fuel prices and competition from international airlines on SriLankan Airlines’ operations and revenue was also discussed.Furthermore, it was stated that the committee appointed by the Government to restructure SriLankan Airlines was considering several options, including attracting new investors, establishing a public-private partnership, or retaining the airline under State ownership while bringing its operations to a level where it could cover its costs.Accordingly, the Committee instructed the relevant authorities to submit a comprehensive report to Parliament and the Ministry before November 30, outlining the measures required to bring SriLankan Airlines to a cost-recovery level within the next two to three years.Hon. Members of Parliament Ajith P. Perera, Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, Ravindra Bandara, Manjula Suweera Arachchi, Chathura Galappaththi, Dhanushka Ranganath, Jagath Vithana, Shantha Padma Kumara Subasinghe and Attorney-at-Law Geetha Herath also attended the Committee meeting.
2026-11-14
The Committee on Ways and Means held an extensive discussion on Sri Lanka’s tariff policies and the current status of trade agreements. The meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Hon. Vijesiri Basnayake, Member of Parliament at Parliament recently.Mr. Somasena Mahadiulwewa, Director General (Acting) of the Department of Commerce of Sri Lanka, provided a detailed explanation to the Committee on these matters. The discussion focused on the current status of Sri Lanka’s bilateral and multilateral trade agreements and measures to move them forward.The Committee stressed the importance of conducting feasibility studies on trade agreements that are currently under negotiation and taking the necessary steps to ensure that these discussions continue.Hon. Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe and Eranga Weeraratne, and Hon. Members of Parliament Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala, Thilina Samarakoon, Champika Hettiarachchi and Chathura Galappaththi, among others, also participated in the Committee meeting.
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.
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