2020-11-24
News Categories : Committee News
Hon. Minister of Irrigation and State Minister of Internal Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management Chamal Rajapaksa, addressing the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Irrigation in Parliament yesterday (23), said that compensation should be paid for the lands acquired prior to the commencement of irrigation projects.
The Minister emphasized that attention should be given towards the satisfaction of the people who are losing their lands and that they should be justly compensated, thus receiving their blessings for projects in return. Accordingly, the Minister instructed the relevant divisions to take necessary measures required for this purpose immediately.
The Minister made an emphasis on this regard when MP Dilan Perera revealed that 6000 families who had lost their lands as a result of the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project had not yet been compensated.
It was made aware that the work pertaining to the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project is scheduled to be completed by the month of June next year and that the government will be able to add 120 megawatts of power generation to the national power grid, which is considered as a key component of the government's return on investment by next February.
Furthermore, the Secretary to the Ministry, Mr. Anura Dissanayake stated that all the funds necessary have been allocated for this purpose through the budget and that this project is scheduled to be opened by the month of June, supplying water to nearly 355 tanks.
Adding to it, Mr. Dissanayake further stated that the 26 km long tunnel and the 94 km long North Central Maha Ela project which will feed 1200 small tanks, proposed to be completed in 06 years, will be completed in 04 years’ time. Given that provisions have been allocated through the budget for a number of projects including the aforesaid, he ensured that a number of projects that were delayed will be completed soon.
It was made aware that the Gin and Nilwala project which supply water to the Hambantota Port and the industrial zone surrounding the Mattala Airport along the Chandrika Lake which had been inactive for five years will be restored and completed by the year 2026-2027. This project which will carry 450 million cubic meters of water which will be distributed to many areas including Embilipitiya and Hambantota.
The Secretary to the Ministry said that the Lower Malwathu Oya Water Supply Scheme will be completed soon to address the acute water shortage in many areas including Mannar.
The Minister emphasized the importance of expediting the restoration work given that a large number of irrigation systems including tanks are currently being restored with the assistance of the forces and voluntary organizations. Adding to it he said that new technological mechanisms will be utilized to solve the drinking water problem of the people in the North and steps will be taken to improve it.
Many Members of Parliament participated at this meeting drawing the attention of the Minister towards the matters arising with regards to the scope in discussion and provided suggestions with regards to the existing irrigation systems where the Minister ensured that immediate steps will be taken to address them.
Hon. State Minister of Tanks, Reservoirs and Irrigation Development related to Rural Paddy Fields Anuradha Jayaratne, Hon. State Minister of Canals and Common Infrastructure Development in Settlements in Mahaweli Zones Siripala Gamalath, MPs Faizal Cassim, Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda, Nimal Piyathissa, A. Shritharan, (Dr.) Suren Raghavan, Udayana Kirindigoda, S. M. M. Muszhaaraff, Marjan Faleel, S. M. Rasamanickam and government officials were present at this meeting.
2025-02-16
The Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill approved by the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. The approval was received when the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government met in Parliament today (Feb. 14) under the chairmanship of Hon. Minister (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayaratne. The annual reports of the Distance Learning Center for the years 2021 and 2022 were also considered by the Committee and approved. The Hon. Deputy Minister Ruwan Senarath, Deputy Ministers, Members of the Committee, Hon. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Members of Parliament and government officials were present in this committee meeting.
2025-02-13
A joint initiative between the Fisheries and Trade Ministries to sell fish through the Lanka Sathosa ChainMinistry of Fisheries to extend attention regarding the renovation of existing ports in the northern and eastern provinces The Hon. Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramalingam Chandrasekar stated that necessary measures are being taken to prevent Indian fishermen from illegally entering Sri Lankan territorial waters.He expressed these views during the first meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources which was held in Parliament, recently (Feb. 07) under his Chairmanship. The Hon. Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Rathna Gamage, was also present at the Committee meeting held.Accordingly, the Hon. Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar stated that discussion is underway with Tamil Nadu and the Indian High Commissioner to resolve this issue regarding Indian fishermen. He further mentioned that a swift resolution to this issue, which has affected local fishermen, would be provided without resorting to conflicts.Furthermore, extensive discussions were also held on initiating a joint program between the Ministries of Fisheries and Trade to sell fish through Lanka Sathosa. Expressing his views on this matter, the Hon. Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, stated that there are plans to expand Lanka Sathosa network in the future and that the necessary arrangements could be made to sell fish through these stores. Officials representing the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation, commenting on the matter, stated that they are looking forward to promptly implementing the required measures to sell fish through Lanka Sathosa. Accordingly, they further stated that plans are in place to package the relevant fish varieties in a manner that makes them more convenient for consumers to prepare.During this meeting, various issues pertaining to the fisheries industry across the country were brought to the attention of the relevant officials by the Hon. Members of Parliament. Extensive discussions were held within the Committee on matters such as illegal fishing using prohibited nets and dynamite, issues related to Freshwater fisheries, and issues pertaining to domestic harbors. Expressing his views, the Committee Chair instructed the relevant officials to take necessary actions regarding the said issues. Additionally, he stated that the Ministry is paying more attention to the renovation of harbors in the Northern and Eastern provinces and is working towards resolving the existing issues.Moreover, The Annual Report of the Fishery Board Statutory Corporation for the year 2021 and the Annual Performance Report of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for the year 2023 were also considered and approved in the Committee.This committee meeting was attended by Hon. Ministers, Hon. Deputy Ministers, Committee Members including Hon. Members of Parliament, and officials from the Ministery of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, among others.
2025-02-13
A meeting to discuss the Action Plan of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus was held on 07.02.2025 under the patronage of Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and the Chairperson of the Caucus Hon. Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Mrs. Saroja Savitri Paulraj. The Caucus discussed the possibility of enhancing women’s representation by achieving 25% women’s representation at the Provincial Level. Accordingly, the Caucus looked at the mechanisms of bringing in amendments to the prevailing law for the implementation of the said proposal at the upcoming election. The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus also decided on meeting with various political parties and party secretaries to demand the appointment of women and increase women representation in the Provincial and Local Government bodies. Moreover, matters such as the elimination of sexual harassment at the workplace and the elimination of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) was also taken into consideration. During the meeting, plans to mark the International Women’s Day which falls on March 8th, were also discussed. Deputy Co-Chairpersons of the Caucus Hon. Member of Parliament (Mrs.) Chamindrani Kiriella (Attorney-at-Law) and Hon. Member of Parliament (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasinghe and Members of Parliament, (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna, (Mrs.) Geetha Herath, Attorney at Law, (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda (Attorney-at-Law), (Ms.) (Dr) Kaushalya Ariyarathne, (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga, (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi, (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi (Attorney-at-Law), (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani, Nilusha Lakmali Gamage, (Mrs.) A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe, (Mrs.) Deepthi Wasalage, (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe (Attorney-at-Law), (Ms.) Ambika Samivel and (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra (Attorney-at-Law) were also present at this meeting.
2025-02-07
Hon. Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, P. Ruwan Senarath to lead the Sub-Committee The Chair of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Hon. Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna recommended the establishment of a special sub-Committee consisting of 08 members to identify the necessary policy changes in the public service. This was special sub-committee established when the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government met recently (Feb. 05) under the Chairmanship of the Hon. Minister (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna in the Parliament premises. The subcommittee was established under the leadership of the Hon. Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, P. Ruwan Senarath. Hon. Members of Parliament Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, Ajantha Gammeddage, Dharmapriya Dissanayake, Dinindu Saman, (Mrs.) Geetha Herath, Attorney at Law, Lal Premanath and Muhammad Faizal were appointed as the other members to the said Committee. The primary objective of this subcommittee is to conduct the necessary investigations and identify policy changes required in key aspects of the public service, such as appointments, competitive examinations, retirements, and vacancies. The findings and recommendations will be submitted to the Ministerial Consultative Committee. The need for such a subcommittee was initially proposed by Hon. Member of Parliament Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, following which the Chairman approved the appointment. Additionally, discussions were held regarding existing vacancies in Divisional Secretariat Offices and Local Government institutions. Officials who attended the meeting highlighted that in 2024, the services of 8,435 individuals in Local Government institutions has been made permanent. Furthermore, a comprehensive staff review of all Local Government institutions is currently underway, with the final report expected by March 31, 2025. Once completed, the relevant data will be provided to the Department of Management Services for necessary appointments. Officials also clarified that employees recruited for specific projects will not be made permanent. Moreover, discussions were held regarding the competitive examination process for appointing Grama Niladhari officials. Members of Parliament and government officials including members of the committee were present at this Committee meeting held.
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