2025-03-03
News Categories : Committee News
The release of water to farmlands for commencement of Yala season after March 15th was discussed at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation. This was discussed when the Committee met in Parliament on 28.02.2025 under the chairmanship of the Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, K.D. Lal Kantha.
Hon. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne said that it is planned to release water for paddy fields after March 15th with the expectation of commencing cultivation of a larger area of land during the Yala season. The Deputy Minister further stated that all paddy fields will be cultivated by the end of April.
The Hon. Members also drew the attention of the Committee to the existing issues related to the reclamation of paddy lands. While briefing the programme “Eka Mitata Govi Bimata”, the committee chairperson emphasized that this is not a programme for cultivating barren paddy fields. He further stated that crops that can be cultivated in each area should be identified on a scientific basis and those crops can be cultivated with the approval of the Agricultural Commissioner of the relevant area.
The committee also discussed the maize stocks required by the country. Officials informed the committee that 275,000 metric tons of maize had been imported for animal feed between 2024 and January 31, 2025. The chairperson mentioned that the import of maize was halted after January 31, 2025. However, he also noted that while the annual maize requirement is 600,000 metric tons, the country’s maize production is insufficient to meet this demand. As a result, the chairperson stated that maize imports would need to resume in the future. Additionally, the committee highlighted the importance of providing opportunities for small and medium-scale entrepreneurs if maize imports are resumed. Furthermore, a plan has been developed to expand the area dedicated to maize cultivation in the country to 20,000 hectares.
Attention was also drawn to the issues existing in the country's irrigation systems and the measures to be taken to resolve them. The committee chairperson, said that special attention will be paid to the irrigation issues existing in the Northern and Eastern provinces.
Meanwhile, the annual report of the Colombo Commercial Fertilizers Limited for the year 2021/2022, the annual report of the National Institute of Post Harvest Management for the year 2022, the annual report of the National Livestock Development Board for the year 2019, the annual report of the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau for the year 2023 and the annual performance report of the Department of Animal Production and Health for the year 2023, the annual performance report of the Ministry of Irrigation for the year 2023, the annual performance report of the Irrigation Department for the year 2023 and the performance report of the Department of Agrarian Development for the year 2019 were presented to the Committee for consideration.
Hon. Ministers, Hon. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne, Hon. Deputy Minister of Lands and Irrigation (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe, Hon. Members of Parliament including Committee Members, officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation were present at this meeting.
2025-11-08
“If the services you provide truly satisfy persons with disabilities, that same satisfaction will reflect back on you as a service provider.” - Hon. Member of Parliament Sugath Wasantha de Silva A special district-level Consultation Programme on Improving Disability Inclusive Service Delivery was held on 4th November 2025 at the Skill Development Centre of the Kilinochchi District Secretariat, under the patronage of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities. In line with the aspiration of creating a “Disability-Sensitive Parliament” the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities of the 10th Parliament, has initiated a series of consultation programmes across the island to gather direct opinions from persons with disabilities. Accordingly, the first phase of this initiative was conducted with a focus on the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts. This special programme was chaired by Hon. Member of Parliament and Chair of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities Sugath Wasantha de Silva, with the participation of Hon. Member of Parliament and Deputy Co-Chair of the Caucus (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam. Nearly 100 participants attended the programme, including Kilinochchi District Secretary Mr. S. Muralitharan, Mullaitivu Additional District Secretary Ms. Satheesan Manjuladevi, representatives of local government institutions, Divisional Secretaries, officials representing the health sector and the police, representatives of organizations of persons with disabilities in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu, and persons with disabilities. The programme was conducted with the sponsorship and logistical support of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) with the funding support from Australian Government and, in collaboration with the District Secretariats of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. Ms. Anojitha Sivaskaran, Programme Officer of IFES, was also present on this occasion. Addressing the gathering, Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva, MP, requested all government officials to treat persons with disabilities who approach them for services with compassion and to ensure their needs are properly met. He emphasized that by viewing issues from the perspective of persons with disabilities, officials can better identify their true needs, and that the joy reflected in the smiles of satisfied service recipients can bring fulfillment to one’s professional life. He further noted that steps have been taken to amend the existing Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, incorporating changes that reflect developments over the past two decades. The proposed amendments also aim to include over 25 rights outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Alongside this, a National Policy and National Action Plan for persons with disabilities are being formulated. Deputy Co-Chair Hon. MP (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam, in his remarks, highlighted the importance of conducting such programmes in the Northern Province, where the needs of persons with disabilities are significant. He further stressed that the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities of the Tenth Parliament stands above political divisions in pursuing necessary legal and policy reforms for the benefit of persons with disabilities. He also announced that the national programme marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities will be held this year in the Jaffna District. Additionally, he emphasized the continued importance of police support in enforcing road safety and compliance with traffic regulations. Kilinochchi District Secretary Mr. S. Muralitharan and Mullaitivu Additional District Secretary Ms. Satheesan Manjuladevi also expressed their views, noting that the current government benefits provided to persons with disabilities are insufficient to fully meet their needs, and highlighted the necessity of policy decisions to increase such benefits in the future. During the discussions, participants addressed a wide range of issues and challenges faced by persons with disabilities in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts, including the services that can be provided and improved at the local institutional level. Topics discussed in depth included; Shortage of social service officers, the need for a nationally recognized identity card for persons with disabilities, employment opportunities and security, difficulties in accessing health and transport services, provision of land for self-employment ventures, need for sign language interpretation services, issues related to issuing driving licenses to persons with disabilities, need for trained teachers for students with disabilities and availability of better-equipped schools in the district. The Caucus also presented recommendations and possible solutions to the matters raised. Following the consultation, the Chair of the Caucus stated that the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities will coordinate with relevant ministries and Parliament to implement necessary policy reforms. Officials present also assured that District Secretariats will follow up to ensure the proper implementation of decisions and improvements in local service delivery.
2025-11-08
Jointly organized by the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus (WPC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) The “Bridging Voices: Regional Exchange for Women Leaders” forum was held in Jaffna, marking a significant first step toward building a peer-to-peer mentorship network linking women leaders from across Sri Lanka. The forum was jointly organized by the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus (WPC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sri Lanka. The event brought together national and subnational women leaders from Parliament, local government, education, and business sectors to share experiences, discuss barriers, and identify practical solutions to strengthen women’s leadership. The dialogue was attended by Hon. Minister of Women and Child Affairs and Chair of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus (WPC) (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj, alongside WPC members Hon. Deputy Chair of Committees (Mrs.) Hemali Weerasekara, Hon. Members of Parliament Hasara Liyanage, Thushari Jayasingha, Anushka Thilakarathne, and M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani. Ms. Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative of UNDP Sri Lanka, and Mr. Chathuranga Hapuarachchi, Parliament and Media Specialist, UNDP Sri Lanka, joined the discussions together with senior government officials from the Northern Province and representatives from the University of Jaffna. The forum resulted in a shared commitment to create a sustainable mentorship network and develop a report capturing key insights and recommendations from women leaders in the North. This report will support the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus in advancing evidence-based policy decisions that address challenges faced by women in leadership and strengthen inclusive governance across Sri Lanka.
2025-11-08
Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital instructed the respective officials to obtain the necessary human resources, at least on a temporary basis, to commence the studies of the 17th batch of students at the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, of the University of Ruhuna. University authorities stated that although the students who sat for the G.C.E. (Advanced Level) Examination in 2023 and were granted university admission were selected to the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences of the University of Ruhuna, more than a year has lapsed without commencing their academic activities due to the shortage of human resources prevailing at the faculty. This matter was discussed at the recent meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital held in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Hesha Withanage. The Hon. Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, also participated in this committee meeting. Expressing views during the discussion, university authorities presented to the Committee the facts regarding the shortage of human resources at the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences of the University of Ruhuna. However, they stated that necessary measures are currently being taken to provide the required human resources. Speaking at the meeting, the Hon. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa emphasized that due to the problem that has arisen, approximately 250 students are facing severe torment. He stressed the importance of commencing academic activities by obtaining the required human resources or on least on a temporary basis in order to resolve this issue. Accordingly, the university officials stated that they expect to implement the necessary measures promptly in consultation with the Ministry of Education to commence the academic activities of the 17th batch of students of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences. Meanwhile, the fiscal and physical progress of the budget proposals for the year 2025 of the Ministries of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, and Youth Affairs and Sports, as well as the expected progress up to 31.12.2025, were also considered at this Committee meeting. At the meeting, the Secretaries of the respective ministries pointed out that due to several challenging situations affecting the overall performance, it has not been possible to achieve the expected level of progress. They further stated that due to issues prevailing in the procurement process and in building construction, the expected progress could not be attained; however, since only a short period remains for this year, they expect to improve the relevant progress within that time. This meeting was attended by Hon. Members of Parliament Sugath Wasantha de Silva, Sunil Rajapaksha, and Chanaka Madugoda, along with Secretaries and officials of the Ministries of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, and Youth Affairs and Sports, the Chairman of the University Grants Commission, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ruhuna, the Dean of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, and members of the academic staff.
2025-11-06
A high-level Chinese delegation led by Hon. Wang Guosheng, Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Director of its Economic Affairs Committee, today (Nov. 06) met with a group of Parliamentary committee members. Accordingly, the delegation met with members of the, the Committee on Ways and Means, and the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations and other Members of Parliament at the Parliamentary premises. The delegation also participated in a luncheon meeting hosted by Hon. Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvi Salih, during which discussions were held on further enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries. During the discussions, the delegation reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and expressed their intention to encourage Chinese investment in Sri Lanka across multiple sectors. Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means Hon. Member of Parliament Wijesiri Basnayake; Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations Hon. Member of Parliament Lakmali Hemachandra (Attorney-at-Law); and Hon. Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Sujeewa Senasinghe (Attorney-at-Law), K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera, Ruwan Mapalagama, and Chathura Galappaththi participated in the discussions. Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, Director (Legislative Services) and Acting Director (Communication) Mr. M. Jayalath Perera and a group of Parliamentary officials were also present at this meeting. During the meeting, the chair of the Committee on Ways and Means Hon. Member of Parliament Wijesiri Basnayake emphasized the deep-rooted friendship between Sri Lanka and China, noting that this visit further strengthens their longstanding bilateral relations. He expressed appreciation for China’s continued support in various fields and highlighted that the recent visit of Hon. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to China had further enhanced this partnership. Speaking at the meeting, Hon. Wang Guosheng described Sri Lanka as a close friend of China and reaffirmed China’s commitment to advancing cooperation in diverse areas including tourism, trade, and investment. He also noted that they hope to encourage more Chinese enterprises to explore the investment opportunities in Sri Lanka. Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations Hon. Member of Parliament Lakmali Hemachandra (Attorney-at-Law) requested the Chinese delegation’s assistance in advancing Sri Lanka’s industrial sector, emphasizing the nation’s focus on sustainable economic development and technology-driven growth. She also conveyed her sincere gratitude for the hospitality extended to the Sri Lankan delegation during their visit a few months earlier. Speaking at the meeting, Hon. Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake and Sujeewa Senasinghe (Attorney-at-Law) underscored the need to deepen economic cooperation and explore opportunities for establishing manufacturing facilities in Sri Lanka. Members of the Chinese delegation included Hon. Fu Zhifang, Member of the CPPCC National Committee and Deputy Director of the Economic Affairs Committee; Hon. Mao Digzhi, Member of the CPPCC Economic Affairs Committee; Mr. Liu Huanxing, Director of the Office of the CPPCC Economic Affairs Committee; Mr. Zhang Jinjie, Director of the Fiscal and Economic Division of the CPPCC Economic Affairs Committee; and H.E. Qi Zhenhong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka. The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepening cooperation and promoting mutually beneficial partnerships between Sri Lanka and China.
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