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.
2025-07-28
No shortage of very essential medical items – Ministry of Health officials The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Media and Women's Empowerment inquired into the medicine shortage and related matters at the Committee meeting held recently (Jul. 23), under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe. Officials from the Ministry of Health informed the Committee that the current shortage of medicines has arisen due to delays in placing orders in previous years. However, they assured the Committee that procurement process for the year 2026 has already taken commenced, and there will be no shortage in 2026. They further stated that by the end of this year, 80% to 90% of essential medicine items are expected to be available in the country. In response to an inquiry made by the Committee regarding the availability of very essential medical items, the Ministry officials confirmed that there is no shortage of such items at present. Furthermore, the Committee also considered and approved the Annual Reports for the years 2022 and 2023 of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation of Sri Lanka, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority, the Sri Lanka Ayurvedic Drugs Corporation, and the Wijaya Kumaratunga Memorial Hospital. While reviewing these reports, the Committee raised concerns over unresolved audit queries related to these institutions. The Committee Chair recommended that an internal review mechanism be established within the Ministry to ensure timely and appropriate responses to audit observations. Hon. Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer, Hon. Members of Parliament (Attorney-at-Law) Dayasiri Jayasekara, Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan, (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna, Samanmali Gunasingha, (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara, (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah and Jagath Manuwarna were present at the Committee meeting. Officials representing the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, including Secretary to the Ministry Dr. Anil Jasinghe, also participated in the meeting.
2025-07-28
A working Committee was appointed pertaining to the future activities of the Parliamentary Caucus on Arts and Cultural Affairs, established for the Tenth Parliament. The purpose of this working Committee is to implement the programmes expected to be carried out by the Caucus for the advancement of the arts and cultural sectors of the country and to obtain ideas and proposals from experts and scholars in the respective fields for that purpose. Hon. Members of Parliament Prof. Sena Nanayakkara, Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Hiruni Wijesinghe, Attorney-at-Law, Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law, Sugath Wasantha de Silva, Susantha Dodawatta, Attorney-at-Law, Ruwan Mapalagama, and Dinesh Hemantha were appointed as members of this Committee. These appointments were made during the meeting of the Parliamentary Caucus on Arts and Cultural Affairs, held recently (Jul. 22) in Parliament, under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Jagath Manuwarna, Chair of the Caucus. At this meeting, lengthy discussions were held regarding the steps that could be taken to uplift the cultural, literary, and arts sectors of the country, to promote the development of artists and professionals engaged in those fields, and on the necessity of fostering an interest among the general public and children in art appreciation. It was also proposed by the Member MPs that programmes should be initiated to create awareness among Members of Parliament and the parliamentary staff regarding the Parliamentary Caucus on Arts and Cultural Affairs. Hon. Members of Parliament Prof. Sena Nanayakkara, Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Hiruni Wijesinghe, Attorney-at-Law, Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law, Sugath Wasantha de Silva, Susantha Dodawatta, Attorney-at-Law, Ruwan Mapalagama, and Dinesh Hemantha were present at this Committee meeting held.
2025-07-28
The recommendations of the Committee on High Posts, which met on the July 24th at Parliament approved the appointments of 5 new Ambassadors, a High Commissioner, and a Secretary to the Ministry. Accordingly, Miss. Sumadhurika Sashikala Premawardhane as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Indonesia, Mrs. C.A. Chaminda Inoka Colonne as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Federative Republic of Brazil, Mr. Mohamed Rizvi Hassen as the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Maldives, Mr. L.R.M.N.P.G.B. Kadurugamuwa as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Turkey, Mrs. Ruwanthi Delpitiya as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal, and Mr. Marimuththu K. Pathmanaathan as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Republic of South Korea have been recomended by the Committee on High Posts. Furthermore, the name of Miss. Ayesha Jinasena (PC) has also been recommended by the Committee on High Posts for the appointment as the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration. The Committee on High Posts, chaired by Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister, comprised of the following Members of Parliament: Hon. Kumara Jayakody, Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha, Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney at Law, Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage, Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni, Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen, Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, and Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC.
2025-07-28
The proposed Education Reform Plan was taken into discussion at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital. The discussions were held when the Committee met on the Jul. 25th at Parliament, under the chairmanship of Hon. Hesha Withanage, Member of Parliament. Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Training, Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa, representatives of the National Education Commission, the Director General of the National Institute of Education, along with several other senior officials of the Ministry of Education, participated in this meeting. The Ministry officials explained in detail to the Committee the steps taken to prepare the proposed Education Reform Plan and also presented the steps taken in the past in this regard. The Chair of the Committee stated that experts from relevant sectors who have been involved in reforming the education sector in the past are expected to be consulted to examine the proposed Education Reform Plan more comprehensively. He further stated that the full support of the Committee will be extended to ensure the proper implementation of the Education Reform Plan. Committee Members also emphasized the need for properly structuring the syllabus when implementing reforms in the education sector and pointed out the factors that should be considered in that regard. Meanwhile, the attention of the Sectoral Oversight Committee was also drawn to the Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill. The Committee inquired into the operations of the Samurdhi Bank, and the relevant approval was granted to present the said Bill to Parliament for the Second Reading. Hon. Members of Parliament Sunil Rajapaksha, Chanaka Madugoda, Thurairasa Ravikaran, Nilusha Lakmali Gamage, Attorney at Law, and Krishnan Kalaichelvi participated in this Committee meeting.
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