2023-10-06
News Categories : Committee News
Health experts stated during the meeting of the parliamentary special committee that three times the money the government earns from cigarettes and alcohol is spent on the treatment of drug addicts.
This was taken up for discussion at the Select Committee of Parliament to look into and identify the mechanisms to be implemented in order to immediately control and eradicate the rapidly spreading drug menace in the country and to submit observations and recommendations to Parliament in that regard held recently Chaired by Hon. Tiran Alles.
Organizations and officials working for the prevention of drug menace were summoned for this discussion in order to obtain suggestions and ideas for the immediate control and eradication of the drug menace that is spreading rapidly in the country.
Addressing the Committee, the officials pointed out that since 1997, the government and various parties have published many reports containing various suggestions and ideas for drug menace control and elimination.
All those ideas and suggestions are suitable for the present and it is necessary to implement the presented ideas and suggestions on a practical level, the officials pointed out.
The health experts pointed out that it was possible to reduce the use of cigarettes in the country due to the protests which arose from within the society.
It was also disclosed at the Committee that if illegal drugs are found in a certain police area, a mechanism should be prepared so that the police officer in charge of that area should be held accountable. It was also stated that there is a need to consider the actions taken by that officer to control the drug menace for the salary increase and promotion offered to the said police officer.
The Leader of Opposition Hon. Sajith Premadasa pointed out the importance of passing a resolution through the parliament to eliminate the drug menace with the signatures of all 225 Members of Parliament. There was a discussion at length regarding the effectiveness of the message that can be set out through it.
The officials pointed out to the Committee that the promotion of drug addiction through media is going on strongly and it directly and indirectly affects the control of drug addiction.
Officials who presented facts before the Committee pointed out that by increasing the price of cigarettes and alcohol, the age limit for the temptation to use them will increase and to prevent the temptation to use drugs, the importance of implementing programs that lose mental interest. Moreover, the importance of meeting once in 6 months with all the drug prevention organizations in the country to meet and discuss the current situation and the actions to be taken was also discussed.
It was disclosed before the Committee that at present, a process of directing people to use drugs is working in a very indirect manner. Accordingly, the Committee Member, State Minister Hon. (Dr.) (Mrs.) Seetha Arambepola, instructed the officials to provide them with the necessary information to take the necessary actions immediately.
Also, it was decided that an explanation is needed regarding the tax income received by the government from the sale of cigarettes and alcohol and the diversity of the tasks of re-applying those taxes, and it was decided to call the necessary officials before the committee in the future.
The most venerable clergy, Members of the Committee, Members of Parliament Hon. Buddhika Pathirana, Hon. Jayantha Samaraweera, Hon. (Dr.) Gayashan Nawananda, Hon. (Dr.) Upul Galappaththi, Hon. Asanka Navaratne and Hon. Chandima Weerakkody, Hon. (Dr.) Thilak Rajapakshe, Hon. Waruna Liyanage with the permission of the Chair were present at the Committee meeting held.
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
• Mahapola scholarships will be provided in a systematic manner without any delays from April onwards - Proposals submitted to increase the Mahapola scholarship allowance • A forensic audit underway pertaining to the construction of SLIIT utilizing Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund at a cost of Rs. 1,100 million The first meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development of the first session of the Tenth Parliament, chaired by Hon. Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, was held recently (Feb. 05) at Parliament. This was conducted as a joint meeting with the Committee on Public Finance, which operates under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Harsha de Silva. During the meeting, the regulations issued by the then Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development under Section 204, read with Sections 160A, 162A, 161A, 161B, 161C, 161D, 161E, 161F, 161G, and 161H of the Intellectual Property Act No. 36 of 2003, and published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2407/04 dated October 22, 2024, were reviewed. Both committees granted their approval for these regulations. Furthermore, the performance report of the Department of Measurement Units, Standards & Services for the year 2023 was examined. The Minister emphasized the importance of submitting performance reports to Parliament without delay, and the report was subsequently approved. Members of Parliament raised concerns regarding the utilization of the Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund in relation to the establishment of SLIIT. In response, the Hon. Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that SLIIT was constructed on a land belonging to Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund at a cost of Rs. 1,100 million. He further pointed out that although it was claimed that a forensic audit had been conducted during the past on the matter, there is no trace of any reports or related information. Consequently, the Hon. Minister emphasized the need to conduct a forensic audit afresh and the need to take appropriate action. Furthermore, the Hon. Minister disclosed that Rs. 97 million had been taken from the Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund based on political decisions, out of which Rs. 37 million had not been returned. Investigations into this matter are currently ongoing, he said. Regarding the provision of Mahapola scholarship allowance, the Chairman of the Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund explained that Rs. 2,650 is provided through the Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund, while Rs. 2,450 is allocated by the University Grants Commission (UGC). He also clarified that the funds provided through the UGC which is a given by the Treasury, is in due, of approximately Rs. 563 million and yet to be received. The Chairman further highlighted that in order for the Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund to continue providing Scholarships over the next two to three years, it is essential to receive the necessary financial allocations from the Treasury. Hon. Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe stressed that urgent measures have already been taken to settle the outstanding Mahapola scholarship payments within the next three months. He also assured that from April onwards, Mahapola scholarships will be provided in a timely and systematic manner without any delays. Furthermore, he also stated that proposals have already been submitted to increase Mahapola scholarship allowance, and will be addressed by the Hon. President in the upcoming budget. Special attention was also given to concerns pertaining to the Lanka Sathosa and the cooperative enterprises, with extensive discussions held on improving these institutions to provide a more efficient service to the public. The meeting was attended by Hon. Deputy Minister of Cooperative Development Upali Samarasingha, several Members of Parliament, and officials representing the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security, as well as the Ministry of Finance, Planning & Economic Development.
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