2024-01-11
News Categories : Committee News
The Committee on Public Finance reconsidered the Regulations under Section 71 read with Section 52(5) of the Colombo Port City Economic Commissions Act, No. 11 of 2021. This was reconsidered at the Committee on Public Finance held recently (Jan. 09) under the Chairmanship of Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva.
In the course of examining the legality of Duty-Free Rules issued by the Port City Commission for Duty-Free Malls during a prior Committee meeting, the Committee sought the opinion of the Attorney General. As a result, it was revealed that the Commission lacks the authority to establish such rules, highlighting a policy inconsistency that could lead to market distortion and potential cannibalization.
The officials from the Port City Commission, who were present, acknowledged the error and assured that the rules would be revoked by the end of this week. However, when the Committee sought clarification on the individual responsible for these erroneous decisions, considering that the Port City Commission had entered agreements with four investors based on these rules, there was a noticeable absence of accountability. The Committee expressed strong dissatisfaction during the inquiry, as no official stepped forward to take responsibility.
In light of the evident lack of clarity and accountability and the issues brought to the forefront, the Committee was of the opinion that a thorough reconsideration of the mentioned Regulation was warranted. Consequently, the Committee directed the Ministry of Investment Promotion to identify the responsible party and outline measures to prevent similar errors in the future. This action was deemed essential to safeguard against potential discouragement of future investments.
Furthermore, the Committee on Public Finance considered Gazette Extraordinary No. 2334/39, as per Section 24 of the Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka Law, No. 4 of 1978. This gazette outlines a proposal by the BOI to amend regulations, permitting non-BOI or Section 16 BOI companies to attain Section 17 approval with exemptions for specific sectors and criteria. Such amendments would expedite Foreign Direct Investments and facilitate collaborations between foreign companies and existing BOI entities, enabling them to benefit from customs duty exemptions.
After meticulous examination, the Committee approved the aforementioned Regulation to be presented to Parliament. This decision was made with confidence, as the proposed amendments maintained consistent thresholds for companies registering for Section 17, ensuring there were no discrepancies introduced.
Furthermore, a discussion ensued regarding the proposed strategy for ensuring equitable VAT treatment for both foreign and domestic providers of software and digital services. It was revealed that, as previously deliberated in the Committee meeting, the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) concurs with the idea of applying VAT to domestic and foreign software and digital service providers based on the jurisdiction of the consumer rather than the jurisdiction in which a particular business operates. However, officials from the IRD highlighted administrative challenges associated with implementing this VAT on foreign providers. Despite these challenges, the Committee on Public Finance directed the IRD to present a comprehensive plan addressing these administrative issues and ensuring the appropriate implementation of the law within one week.
State Minister Hon. (Dr.) Suren Raghavan and Members of Parliament Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Hon. Chandima Weerakkody, Hon. (Dr.) Nalaka Godahewa, Hon. Nimal Lanza, Hon. Premnath C. Dolawatte, Hon. Madhura Withanage, Hon. Mayantha Dissanayake, Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Hon. M. W. D. Sahan Pradeep, Hon. (Dr.) Major Pradeep Undugoda, Hon. Isuru Dodangoda were present at the Committee meeting held.
2025-10-16
October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It has been decided to hold a debate in Parliament and to have women MPs dress in pink in support of the program. Every year, October is considered as the Global Breast Cancer Awareness Month or “Pink Month” and in line with this, a special awareness session on breast cancer prevention and related programs was held recently (Oct. 09) in Parliament for the Women Parliamentarians' Caucus. This meeting was held under the patronage of Hon. Member of Parliament Samanmali Gunasingha, who was temporarily appointed as Chairperson of the Caucus due to the overseas engagement of the Caucus Chairperson, Hon. Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj. At the session, the Director of the National Cancer Control Program, along with other medical professionals, briefed the Women Parliamentarians' Caucus on breast cancer prevention. They highlighted that breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. In Sri Lanka, approximately 15 new cases are diagnosed daily, with about 3 deaths occurring each day. The doctors emphasized that early detection and treatment of breast cancer can lead to a cure and stressed the importance of breast self-examination (BSE) in addition to medical screenings. It was also revealed that awareness programs have started at the school level in Sri Lanka. Under the initiative called “Pink Wednesday,” a program to increase breast cancer awareness was launched for the first time at Colombo Musaeus College with support from various organizations. Accordingly, students at the school wear pink ties on the first Wednesday of every month in support of this program. The members stressed the need to expand this awareness and the programs throughout the country. Furthermore, it was decided that in the next parliamentary week, on a selected day, all MPs and parliamentary staff will wear pink to support the program. They also agreed to request to grant a debate on this matter in Parliament. It was also decided to send a letter to the Ministry of Education, requesting all schools to raise awareness on this issue among students during their morning assemblies. Additionally, the Caucus decided to conduct an awareness program on breast cancer prevention for the parliamentary staff. Members of the Caucus, Hon. Deputy Minister Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne, Hon. Members of Parliament Krishnan Kalaichelvi, Attorney at Law Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Chathuri Gangani, Attorney at Law Thushari Jayasinghe and a group of doctors including the Director of the National Cancer Prevention Program, participated in this session.
2025-10-16
As of 30.09.2025, the expected tax revenue was Rs. 1,610,599 million and accordingly Rs. 1,641,997 million has been earned (102 percent), officials of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) recently informed the Committee on Ways and Means. It was revealed that out of the total tax revenue target of Rs. 2,195,220 million for the year 2025, Rs. 1,641,997 million has been achieved so far, which is 75%. These matters were revealed when the Committee on Ways and Means met in Parliament on 08.10.2025 under the chairmanship of, Hon. Member of Parliament Wijesiri Basnayake. During the meeting, this year's tax revenue targets and revenue growth were discussed at length compared to previous years. Attention was also drawn to the plans and challenges for increasing tax revenue, including digitalization, and tax management. Accordingly, the Committee Chairman informed the officers to provide the Committee with proposals related to the reforms expected from the Inland Revenue Department. A group of Members representing the Committee on Ways and Means and a group of senior officers including the Commissioner General of the Inland Revenue Department, Mrs. R.P.H. Fernando, were present at this Committee meeting.
2025-10-16
Officials of the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation informed the Ministerial Consultative Committee that currently, more than 300,000 driver’s licenses are pending issuance, and arrangements have been made to print and distribute them within the next three months. They further stated that a new driver’s license with enhanced security features will also be printed and issued within this year. Additionally, all necessary arrangements have been completed to procure one million cards required for the printing of driver’s licenses, according to the officials who briefed the committee. These remarks were made during the meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, held in Parliament on the Oct. 9th, under the chairmanship of Bimal Rathnayake, Hon. Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation. Addressing the committee, the Chair instructed officials to install printing machines in every province to expedite the issuance of pending driver’s licenses. The Chair also inquired from officials regarding the issuance of vehicle number plates. In response, officials informed the committee that the process of selecting a supplier is currently underway, and following Cabinet approval, the process will be completed, allowing for the commencement of number plate issuance. Furthermore, the committee discussed the integrated passenger transport timetable currently in operation. The Chair stated that as the integrated timetable is a policy initiative, steps will be taken to identify shortcomings and expand it to more regions in the future to provide a more efficient service to passengers. The Chair also presented details regarding a pilot project aimed at reducing train accidents involving elephants. It was revealed that Rs. 2.8 million will be spent to install long-range surveillance cameras on trains operating on the Madakalapuwa (Batticaloa) line to monitor and minimize elephant-train collisions. The committee also held extensive discussions regarding issues faced in the constituencies of Members of Parliament and possible solutions to those problems. The meeting was attended by Ministers, State Ministers, Members of Parliament, and other officials.
2025-10-16
The Committee on High Posts, which met on 08th October at Parliament approved the appointments of 3 Ministry secretaries. Accordingly, the appointments of Mr. D.W.R.B. Seneviratne as the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. S. Alokabandara as the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government and Dr. B.K.K.K. Jinadasa as the Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources were approved by the Committee on High Posts. The committee was chaired by Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and several members of this committee participated in the meeting.
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