2023-01-20
News Categories : Committee News
The Board of Directors and officers representing several institutions including the Sri Lanka Public Utilities Commission and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) were summoned and questioned at the National Council regarding the increase in electricity charges.
This was discussed when the National Council met in Parliament on 19.01.2023 under the chairmanship of Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana and with the presence of Prime Minister Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena.
The officials representing the Electricity Board pointed out that the Public Utilities Commission should quickly give a decision on the proposal to increase electricity charges brought in by the Ceylon Electricity Board recently along with the approval of the Cabinet.
Making a remark, the Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission mentioned that the necessary calculations should be completed first.
Accordingly, Speaker Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana said that the Electricity Board and the Public Utilities Commission should discuss this matter and take a final decision. Therefore, after such discussions, it was decided to call all these parties to the National Council again on the 24th.
In addition to this, the draft of the final report of the National Council sub-committee on identifying programs related to economic stabilization was also presented to the National Council by the chairman of the said committee, Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka.
Minister Hon. Tiran Alas, Hon. Kanchana Wijesekera, Hon. Nassir Ali Ahmed, State Ministers Hon. D. V. Chanaka, Hon. Sisira Jayakody, Hon. Indika Anuruddha, Members of Parliament Hon. Johnston Fernando, Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Hon. A. L. M. Athaullah were present at the Committee meeting held.
Furthermore, the Secretary General of the Parliament Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake and the Chief of Staff and Deputy General Secretary of Parliament Ms. Kushani Rohanadeera were also present at the Committee meeting held.
2025-11-17
The progress of drafting the National Higher Education Policy was discussed at the Subcommittee on Higher Education, appointed under the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training. This discussion took place at the meeting of the Subcommittee held in Parliament on the Nov. 11th, chaired by Hon. Deputy Minister Dr. Madhura Senevirathne. At this meeting, Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, presented her views to the committee regarding the prepared draft and the current progress, noting that the draft document is expected to be completed by the end of November. A follow-up review was also conducted on the matters discussed at the previous committee meeting, including the review of approved university staff structures, the admission of students with disabilities to universities, and improving the quality of external degree programmes. Hon. Members of Parliament and a group of officials, including Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training, participated in this meeting.
2025-11-15
An interim report containing proposals and ideas for establishing the necessary framework and formal institution to develop a structured salary scheme and enhance professionalism in the public service was presented to the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government by the Chairman of the appointed subcommittee, Hon. Member of Parliament Chandana Sooriyarachchi. This was presented during a meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, chaired by Hon. Minister (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abeyrathna, recently (Nov. 13) at Parliament. During the meeting, matters raised by Members of Parliament regarding the issues prevailing in Divisional Secretariats and Local Government institutions were discussed. Accordingly, the committee chairman instructed the relevant officials to take necessary measures regarding these matters. Furthermore, proposals were made concerning the granting of pension benefits related to the positions previously held by individuals who became Members of Parliament after completing more than ten years of service in the public sector. As Members of Parliament who resign from their government positions do not qualify for a parliamentary pension, the necessity of considering this matter was also discussed. The committee chairman stated that further discussions will be held in the future and that attention will be directed towards this matter accordingly. It was also discussed that confusion has arisen within the public service due to changes made by the Public Service Commission to the efficiency bar cut-off marks listed in service minutes, recruitment schemes, and promotion procedures. Ministry officials stated that steps would be taken to reconsider this issue. Hon. Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government P. Ruwan Senarath, Members of Parliament who serve on the committee, and several public officials participated in this committee meeting.
2025-11-15
The Sectoral Oversight Committee meets for two days to review the fiscal and physical progress of the 2025 budget proposals of several ministries The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability has proposed to the Ministry of Environment that it should take the initiative to produce an environmentally friendly paper bag that can be used as an alternative to polythene (sili sili) bags. This proposal was presented by the Committee during its discussion to impose a charge for sili sili bags when purchasing goods. The Chair of the Committee inquired from the officials present whether it should be examined if such measures would actually reduce the use of polythene. The Chair also questioned the officials as to which party had decided the amount to be charged for these bags. The officials pointed out that the gazette notification does not specify that a fee should be charged for sili sili bags. The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability met in Parliament on the 10th and 12th of November 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Hector Appuhamy. At this meeting, discussions were held on the financial and physical progress of the budget proposals for the year 2025 of the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic Resources and Marine Resources, and the Ministry of Environment. Several annual reports and performance reports of a number of institutions were also reviewed and subsequently approved. Hon. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, and Hon. Members of Parliament Gnanamuththu Srineshan, Roshan Akmeemana, Chathuri Gangani, Susantha Kumara Nawarathna, Kitnan Selvaraj, Bhagya Sri Herath, Attorney at Law, Chithral Fernando, Attorney at Law, J.C. Alawathuwala, Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney at Law, and Upul Kithsiri also participated in this Committee meeting.
2025-11-15
The annual report of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation for the year 2022 and the annual report of the Independent Television Network for the year 2023 were reviewed at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Media and Women’s Empowerment. This took place at the meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Media and Women’s Empowerment, chaired by Hon. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe, held in Parliament on 13.11.2025. The annual report of the Independent Television Network for the year 2023 was first taken up for consideration by the Committee. The officials of the Network briefed the Committee their current financial situation and other related issues. According to the 2023 annual report, the Independent Television Network has recorded a loss exceeding Rs. 164 million during the said year. However, the officials stated that steps are being taken to gradually reduce the amount of losses and bring the Independent Television Network back to normal financial stability. The officials also informed the Committee that the collection of arrears due to the institution over the past several years is currently at a satisfactory level. There was also lengthy discussion regarding the high cost incurred to purchase Indian teledrama series broadcast on the Independent Television Service and the outstanding payments still to be made for those teledramas. Furthermore, discussion was held regarding the importance of expanding broadcasting services to the Northern and Eastern provinces. Expressing his views, the Chair of the Committee instructed the officials to take necessary steps to identify the issues faced by the Independent Television Network precisely and inform the Committee within three months on how they intend to resolve them. Thereafter, the annual report of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation for the year 2022 was reviewed by the Committee. The officials of the institution briefed the Committee on the current financial situation and operational matters of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. They pointed out that 48% of the payments currently due are tax payments that must be paid along with penalties. The officials further pointed out that the technical equipment currently used by the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation is very outdated and that certain electrical equipment is being operated by employees at considerable risk to their lives. They also stated that the land on which the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation operates still does not belong to the Corporation, and highlighted the importance of securing land ownership for the Corporation for future development activities. Expressing his views, the Chair of the Committee emphasized the importance of strategic planning to uplift both institutions and stated that the matters presented will be forwarded to the relevant sectors. Hon. Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer, and Hon. Members of Parliament Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan, (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna, Samanmalee Gunasinghe, (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara, (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah, Jagath Manuwarna, and Ruwan Mapalagama, along with officials, participated in this Committee meeting.
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