2023-01-20
News Categories : Committee News
The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) chaired by Hon. (Dr.) Harsha De Silva, Member of Parliament greatly appreciated the swift action taken by the Port City Economic Commission following the previous meeting held on 05.01.2023, to give redress to the online presence of the Commission and the submission of audited accounts for 2021 which were key issues raised by the Committee at the previous meeting.
The Hon. Chair stated above, when the Port City Economic Commission was summoned by the Committee on Public Finance yesterday (Jan. 19).
Initially having established that, per the Act, the Port City Economic Commission is a body corporate established under the ordinances that govern a Commercial entity in Sri Lanka and is wholly owned by the State, discussion centered around the legality of enterprises incorporated in the territory and their scope therein.
With CoPF raising some technical prerequisites for the validity of issued licenses, it was agreed that the burden of proof would lay with the applicant when the Port City Economic Commission was queried about its capacity and capability to check the validity of the information provided in the application. It was confirmed that a register of all companies within the territory designate will be maintained electronically – accessible to the general public.
The Committee raised concerns about the privilege of applicants who have freedom to choose to conduct business outside of the Colombo Port City citing the varying tax policies. The Port City Economic Commission responded that corporates will be imbued with the power to formulate their own Human Resources policies with regards to salary structures. The Chairman of the Finance Committee stressed that this would need to be strictly monitored in the future and possibly revisited as it leaves room for malpractice. Additionally, on an interim basis, if the Minister in charge authorizes and nominates a location, companies can, for an interim period of no longer than 05 years, open an enterprise outside of the Port City.
When the Committee queried the mention of surcharges and fines, the Port City Economic Commission confirmed that they are working with the Attorney General’s department and respective regulators to confirm the parameters of penalties. Dr. Harsha reiterated that The Port City Economic Commission cannot take on the job of multiple regulators when governing the Colombo Port City. He directed them to work closely with the Finance Ministry who are already under instructions by the Finance Committee to finalize a gaming regulator by the end of 2023 for Sri Lanka.
Dispute Resolution was addressed, and it was confirmed that as per the act, the arbitrary body within the Port City will only provide a space for conflict resolution, however all judicial matters will be taken up on a priority basis at Magistrate and Civil courts within the borders of Sri Lanka. The Attorney General’s office confirmed that this will be reviewed in the future.
All Gazettes submitted for review were approved conditional to further redress to provide more clarity to the process of renewing licenses and ensure that the Port City Economic Commission regularly meet to ensure future avoidance of delays for the submission of audits and other legally required queries.
State Minister Hon. (Dr.) Suren Raghavan, Hon. Anupa Pasqual, Members of Parliament Hon. Chandima Weerakkodi, Hon. Mayantha Dissanayake, Hon. (Prof.) Ranjith Bandara, Hon. (Dr.) Nalaka Godahewa, Hon. Premnath C. Dolawatte, Hon. Madhura Withanage and officilas of the Port City Economic Commission, Attorney Generals Department were also present at this Committee meeting held.
2025-11-18
Attention of the Committee on Ways & Means was drawn to the Social Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme, its procedures, and related operational issues. This took place when the Committee met in Parliament on 12.11.2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Wijesiri Basnayake. During this meeting, officials of the Welfare Benefits Board briefed the Committee on the manner in which the Social Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme is currently being implemented. The Committee also held an extensive discussion on the criteria used for selecting individuals eligible for the Social Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme. Members of the Committee pointed out to the officials that several issues had arisen in identifying the most appropriate beneficiaries through these criteria. The Committee noted that since individuals are selected under 22 criteria, there should be a change in the mechanism used to implement these criteria. It was further highlighted by the Committee that, at present, individuals are allowed to register only for the purpose of receiving benefits, but what is required is that all individuals in the entire country should enter all their information into a single system (a Social Registry). Once registered in this way, their precise needs can be identified and necessary measures can then be taken to cater to those needs. The Committee also held an extensive discussion regarding the possibility of delivering welfare benefits directly to the homes of senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Officials further informed the Committee that although some individuals are eligible for benefits, they are unable to receive them due to not possessing a National Identity Card. Accordingly, the Committee emphasized the importance of verifying their identities and ensuring that they receive the intended welfare benefits. Hon. Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha, Hon. Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe, (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe, and Nishantha Jayaweera and Hon. Members of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Sujeewa Senasinghe, K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera, Rohana Bandara, Chathura Galappaththi, and Thilina Samarakoon and a group of officials, participated in this meeting.
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.
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