2024-07-17
News Categories : Committee News
The Public Financial Management (PFM) Bill was considered and approved by the Committee on Public Finance following a discussion at length on the particulars of the Bill. Accordingly, the Committee acknowledged and praised the efforts of the Ministry of Finance for their efforts in presenting such Bill which aims to establish a modern, transparent, and efficient PFM system fostering public trust, ensuring efficient resource allocation, and supporting sustainable economic growth.
The officials present stated that while the current Financial Regulations are indeed based on a legal framework, they have not been adequately adhered to. Consequently, due to lapses, inherent weaknesses, and transparency and accountability issues in current Public Financial Management practices, the Public Financial Management (PFM) Bill was drafted to establish financial discipline.
This Bill was considered and approved when the Committee on Public Finance met in Parliament recently (July 11) under the Chairmanship of the Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, Member of Parliament. Officials representing Attorney General’s Department, Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka were present at the Committee meeting held.
Addressing the existing public finance issues, this Bill sets provisions for enacting a law on Public Finance which helps consolidate Regulations scattered among several related sectors. Whilst acting as an overarching law, it also sets requirements for specific content on Fiscal Strategy Statement and Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF).
Furthermore, the Bill also sets provisions for a primary balance target as the medium-term fiscal anchor and a primary expenditure ceiling of the Government - not exceeding 13% of the nominal GDP.
However, the COPF members emphasized that the proposed 13% primary expenditure limit for Sri Lanka hinders the government's capacity to tax and spend in ways that promote growth, efficiency, and social welfare. Additionally, it positions Sri Lanka as the only country to set such a low GDP-based limit on primary expenditure. Chairman stressed that with this constraint, achieving the 10% growth rate necessary to become a high-income country by 2040 is unattainable.
Moreover, measures such as the preparation and publication of a Debt Sustainability Analysis annually, reduction of Guarantee limit - not exceeding 7.5 % of the average GDP, projects to be reviewed & recommended by a Public Investment Committee, etc have also been addressed by the said Bill.
The Committee questioned the officials present regarding the medium-term fiscal framework for the upcoming financial year and the next four years, included in the fiscal strategy statement which must include a primary balance target, a primary expenditure ceiling, fiscal aggregate projections, and economic assumptions.
The Chair questioned as for the last 50 years, the assumptions made on revenue were incorrect, how is this particular Bill going to address this issue. Furthermore, the Chair was of the view that such Bill should focus not only on debt sustainability but also should look into economic growth. Furthermore, The Chair was of the view that the targets of the Public Financial Management (PFM) Bill should align with the Economic Transformation Act.
State Minister Hon. (Dr.) Suren Raghavan, and Members of Parliament Johnston Fernando, Hon. Rauff Hakeem, hon. Wajira Abeywardana, Hon. M. A. Sumanthiran, Hon. Mayantha Dissanayake, Hon. (Dr.) Nalaka Godahewa, Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna, Hon. Madhura Withanage, Hon. Premnath C. Dolawatte, Hon. Duminda Dissanayake were present at the 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
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
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.
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