2025-08-01
News Categories : Committee News
Hon. Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala, recently stated that while there are approximately 28,000 vacancies in the Sri Lanka Police at present, steps have already been taken to urgently fill 5,000 of those vacancies. He further stated that Cabinet approval has been obtained for this purpose and that the relevant processes have already commenced, with recruitment to be completed within this year. He also pointed out that 10,000 personnel currently serving in the Civil Security Department are expected to be attached to the police service.
The Minister made these remarks during the meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, held recently (Jul. 25), chaired by him and attended by Hon. Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law.
Responding to queries raised by Hon. Members of Parliament at the Committee meeting regarding issues faced by the Police Service, Minister Wijepala stated that steps are being taken to provide necessary training programs to improve the efficiency of police officers currently in service, and that recruitment of 1,000 female police officers has also commenced.
Furthermore, the Minister, in his capacity as Chair of the Committee, stated that a separate salary structure for the Police Service is expected to be introduced next year. He mentioned that the President has already been informed of this matter and that proposals will be submitted in relation to the 2026 Budget.
Attention was also drawn during the meeting to police stations where allegations have been made of misconduct by certain Officers-in-Charge and where fair investigations into some unlawful activities have not been conducted. The Committee Chairman instructed the Acting Inspector General of Police to pay special attention to these concerns and take appropriate action.
The Acting IGP also informed the Committee that in addition to the existing Police Anti-Corruption Unit in Welikada, several other such anti-corruption units will be established for special operations. He further pointed out that anyone can file complaints regarding unlawful activities via the hotline number 1997.
The meeting also focused on issues such as drug eradication efforts, the use of illegal fishing explosives, and the need to ensure confidentiality of informants providing information to the police regarding unlawful activities.
A number of Members of Parliament who are members of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, as well as other Members of Parliament, participated in the meeting. Also in attendance were Mr. D.W.R.B. Seneviratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, and officials from institutions under the Ministry.
2025-10-27
World Bank representatives have emphasized the importance of maintaining an updated and accurate data system when selecting eligible beneficiaries for the Aswesuma Social Security Programme. They further stated their readiness to provide the necessary technical support and international expertise for this purpose. These observations were made during a joint meeting held recently (Oct. 22) at Parliament, attended by Members of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Finance, Planning and Economic Development; Members of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations; other Honourable Members of Parliament; representatives of the World Bank; and officials of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies. The meeting was held with the participation of the Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage, Minister of Rural Development, Social Empowerment and Welfare; and the Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law, Chairperson of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations. The World Bank delegation included Ms. Francesca Lamanna, Senior Economist for the Social Security Project, and Mr. Srinivas Varadan, Senior Social Security Specialist, along with several others. During the discussions, the World Bank representatives stated that establishing a comprehensive data system for social Security would enable the accurate identification of genuinely poor and vulnerable individuals and families. They noted that the mere inclusion of citizens’ information in the database would not automatically qualify them as Aswesuma beneficiaries. Instead, the data must be verified and analyzed to correctly identify those eligible for relevant benefits. They further emphasized that such a Social Security data system constitutes a productive investment for the country and, therefore, highlighted the need for continuous updating of the data system. Members of Parliament who took part in the discussion also expressed their views regarding issues encountered in distributing Aswesuma benefits. They suggested that the beneficiaries of Aswesuma be selected through local committees and that the list of selected beneficiaries be publicly displayed within the respective village to ensure transparency in the process. Officials involved in implementing the Aswesuma programme stated that certain challenges had arisen due to inadequate information provided to the implementing officers, Divisional Secretaries, and Grama Niladhari officers. However, they noted that measures are currently being taken to properly inform these officers of their respective roles and to obtain their cooperation in ensuring the successful implementation of the programme. This occasion was also attended by the Hon. Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, Hon. Ministers, Hon. Deputy Ministers, Hon. Members of Parliament, Ms. Shalika Subasinghe – Advisor to the World Bank, and officials of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies.
2025-10-24
The Committee on Public Finance has granted its approval for the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026. This approval was given during a committee meeting held in Parliament yesterday (Oct. 23) under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva. Officials from the Ministry of Finance, who attended the meeting, briefed the Committee on the allocation of funds for various sectors and the targets set for the year 2026. After an extensive discussion on these matters, the Committee granted its approval for the Bill. The Appropriation Bill for the year 2026 is scheduled to be presented to Parliament for the second reading (Budget Speech) by the Hon. President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance on 7th of November.
2025-10-23
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development held extensive discussions regarding the emergency coal purchases and annual procurement plans carried out by Lanka Coal Company (Private) Limited. Particular attention of the Committee was drawn to the tender procedures followed prior to the year 2022 and the amendments made to those procedures after 2022. This matter was taken up at the Committee meeting held in Parliament recently (Oct. 17th) under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament S. M. Marikkar. Officials representing the Ministry of Power and Energy, Lanka Coal Company (Private) Limited, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Sri Lanka, and the Department of the Auditor General were present at this meeting. During the discussions, following inquiries made from the officials regarding the manner in which emergency coal purchases had been conducted prior to 2022, the Committee Chairman recommended that a comprehensive report containing all data related to such emergency purchases be submitted to the Committee. The Committee also discussed the current stock levels of coal held by Lanka Coal Company (Private) Limited, the duration for which those stocks would be sufficient, and the quantities of coal expected to be purchased in the future. Hon. Members of Parliament Nalin Bandara, Jagath Vithana, and Asitha Niroshan Egoda Vithana also participated in this Committee meeting.
2025-10-23
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability discussed the financial and physical progress of the budget proposals for the year 2025 of several ministries and the expected progress up to 31.12.2025. This was discussed when the Committee met in Parliament recently (Oct. 21) under the chairmanship of the Hon. Member of Parliament Hector Appuhami. Accordingly, the financial and physical progress of the budget proposals for the year 2025 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development, the Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure and the Ministry of Environment and the expected progress up to 31.12.2025 were discussed. Addressing the Committee, its Chairman, Hon. Member of Parliament Hector Appuhami stated that a comprehensive report should be submitted to Parliament, based on the inquiries made by the Committee, regarding the utilization of allocations and progress achieved by each relevant ministry under the 2025 budget. He further mentioned that the Committee will review the performance of all ministries that fall under its purview accordingly. The Committee discussed the budget allocations made to each ministry and their expenditure progress, and it was recommended that reports on the fund utilization and progress of essential projects be submitted to the Committee. The Hon. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Hon. Members of Parliament, J.C. Alawathuwala, Attorney-at-Law Sujeewa Senasinghe, Gnanamuththu Srineshan, Roshan Akmeemana, Chathuri Gangani, Susantha Kumara Navaratne, Kitnan Selvaraj, Attorney-at-Law Bhagya Sri Herath, Sudath Balagalla, Attorney-at-Law Chitral Fernando, Upul Kithsiri and M.S. Uthumalebbe also participated in this committee.
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