2025-10-14
News Categories : Committee News
The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has instructed the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) to establish a formal mechanism for collecting arrears of assessment tax in the city of Colombo.
Officials of the Colombo Municipal Council informed the COPA that under the KOICA project, a data system is expected to be developed to support several functions, including maintaining assessment tax revenue.
Accordingly, COPA instructed the Colombo Municipal Council to hold discussions with the KOICA project and to inform the committee about the progress made in utilizing the new data system being developed to systematically collect assessment tax revenue and to improve the efficiency of tax collection.
These matters were discussed when the Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Hon. Kabir Hashim, Member of Parliament, convened on October 8, 2025, to examine the Auditor General’s Reports for the years 2022 and 2023 and the current performance of the Colombo Municipal Council.
During the meeting, COPA inquired from the relevant officials regarding the failure to implement a recommendation made by the Auditor General’s Department to complete, within six months, the collection of arrears in the Fort area of Colombo where the properties had already been identified.
In response, the officials stated that out of the total arrears amounting to Rs. 610.96 million, a sum of Rs. 148 million had already been recovered, and that measures were being taken to recover the remaining amount. However, the COPA Chair instructed the officials to submit a comprehensive report on the plan to systematically recover the outstanding revenue.
Furthermore, the Chair instructed the Colombo Municipal Council to inform the committee regarding the progress of developing a formal data system for collecting other sources of revenue received by the Council and the actions taken regarding properties that could not yet be identified.
Meanwhile, the committee also discussed the progress made in implementing the earlier recommendation by COPA regarding the unauthorized occupation of the Elie House land in Modara. COPA noted that following the planned discussion with the Governor regarding the appeal submitted by those occupying the said property, the committee should be informed about the progress in transferring the property back to the Colombo Municipal Council.
However, the officials from the National Audit Office informed the committee that although the occupants had agreed post discussions with the Governor to pay the arrears and fines due for unauthorized occupation, the necessary actions had not yet been taken.
It was also disclosed that although the total extent of the land was 140 perches, only 40 perches had been leased since 1992, and that the lease agreement had expired in 2022. Officials from the National Audit Office further informed the committee of these facts.
Officials from the Colombo Municipal Council explained that as a charitable organization is currently being operated on the said premises, they were in the process of recovering the arrears and fines through mutual agreement, and that steps were being taken to reclaim the remaining 50 perches of land that were being used without a lease agreement.
However, highlighting that such actions could give rise to various complications, the COPA Chair emphasized the importance of carrying out all procedures in accordance with financial and state administrative regulations. Accordingly, the officials were instructed to submit a report detailing the amount of fines due for the remaining portion of the land being used, and they informed the committee that this report could be submitted by the end of December.
Meanwhile, the committee also held an extensive discussion regarding the unauthorized construction of a funeral parlor on the official residence and land of the Borella Cemetery Supervisor, which had been misused. Although COPA had earlier recommended a full investigation and the submission of a report to the committee, the failure to submit the said report was met with the committee’s dissatisfaction.
However, officials informed the committee that the necessary disciplinary and legal actions were being taken, and the relevant procedures were ongoing.
The meeting was attended by committee members including Hon. Deputy Ministers Aravinda Senarath, Dinindu Saman Hennayake, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), along with Members of Parliament (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, J.C. Alawathuwala, Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana, Ruwanthilaka Jayakody, Thushari Jayasinghe Attorney-at-Law, Sunil Rathnasiri, and Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, as well as several state officials.
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
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.
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.
Handbook of Parliament
The System of Elections in Sri Lanka
How Parliament Works
Business of Parliament
Copyright © The Parliament of Sri Lanka.
All Rights Reserved.
Design & Developed by TekGeeks
