2025-11-13
News Categories : Committee News
The draft report prepared in accordance with Standing Order 121(5)(i) of Parliament regarding the Appropriation Bill for the Financial Year 2026 was considered at the meeting of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF).
This discussion took place recently (Nov. 11) in Parliament, under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva.
The report had been prepared by the technical team of the Committee on Public Finance and presented to the Committee for consideration.
According to the report, the Appropriation Bill for the Financial Year 2026 has been prepared in line with the requirements stipulated under the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act, the Public Debt Management (PDM) Act, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.
It further notes that revenue in 2025 exceeded expectations by Rs. 100 billion due to higher-than-expected income from vehicle import taxes, thereby providing greater ease in preparing financial plans for 2026. However, it is also expected that revenue growth in 2026 will slow down due to a decline in vehicle imports. The report is scheduled to be presented to Parliament.
Subsequently, discussions were also held with representatives of civil organizations regarding the Appropriation Bill for 2026. During these discussions, the representatives presented their views on the transparency of the budget, the allocation of funds among various sectors, the issues currently identified, and their related proposals.
The Chairman stated that these views and proposals will be referred to the Ministry of Finance for necessary action.
Hon. Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe and Nishantha Jayaweera, and Hon. Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Ajith Agalakada, Attorney-at-Law Chitral Fernando, Wijesiri Basnayake, Sunil Rajapaksha, Thilina Samarakoon, and Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra, were present at this committee meeting.
2025-11-13
Committee expresses dissatisfaction over inefficiency in certain institutions – instructs that when they are summoned again, officials should present a specific time-bound action plan instead of vague technical explanations. Committee emphasizes the need for efficient implementation of budget proposals to meet public expectations. The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development has reviewed the financial and physical progress of the 2025 budget proposals of four ministries. This discussion took place recently (Nov. 11th) in Parliament, under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament S.M. Marikkar. Accordingly, the Committee examined the financial and physical progress of the budget proposals for the year 2025 relating to the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, and the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development. Secretaries of these ministries and heads of relevant institutions were summoned to the meeting. Attention was drawn to the Kelani Valley Railway Line Project, for which Rs. 250 million had been allocated last year, yet its progress remains minimal. The Committee observed that although funds were allocated through the budget in March 2025, satisfactory progress has not been achieved, reflecting inefficiency within the Department of Railways. For the current year as well, Rs. 840 million has been allocated for the Kelani Valley Railway Line. However, the Committee noted that without a proper and efficient plan, it would be impossible to achieve the targeted progress, resulting ultimately in the public expectations not being met in due time.The Committee also reviewed the utilization of funds allocated for the Thambuttegama Railway Station Development Project under the 2025 budget and pointed out that the technical explanations provided by officials were completely unsatisfactory. Expressing regret over the continued delays in project implementation which ultimately leads to unutilized funds being returned to the Treasury, the Committee expressed its dissatisfaction. Accordingly, the Committee instructed the Department of Railways to present specific plans with timelines instead of vague technical responses. It was also decided to summon again the Department of Railways, Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), and other relevant institutions to review the progress of fund utilization under the budget, and officials were directed to attend with accurate and complete data. Further attention was paid to the budget proposals of these four ministries, including highway and rural bridge renovation, procurement of new buses, renovation of Colombo apartment buildings under the Urban Development Authority, and future goals in the energy sector. The Committee also informed the officials of the Ports Authority to take steps to promptly submit the report on the possibility of making the Galle Port profitable, as previously notified. Additionally, the Chairman expressed appreciation for the performance of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, as revealed during previous Committee sessions. Hon. Members of Parliament Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, Manjula Suraweera Arachchi, Ravindra Bandara, Jagath Vithana, Shantha Padma Kumara Subasinghe, and Attorney-at-Law Geetha Herath were present at this committee meeting.
2025-11-13
Hon. Member of Parliament Chandana Sooriyaarachchi stated that an interim report containing the proposals and ideas formulated for establishing a proper plan and a formal institution aimed at preparing a formal salary scheme for the public service and elevating professionalism is scheduled to be submitted to the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government on the 13th of this month. This was stated at the meeting of the Sub-Committee on Establishing a Formal Salary Scheme for the Public Service by Reviewing the Entire Public Service and Elevating Professionalism, appointed by the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, held on 10.11.2025 in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Chandana Sooriyaarachchi. Expressing his views at the meeting, the Chair stated that discussions had been held with various parties regarding the preparation of a formal salary structure and the enhancement of professionalism in the public service, and that their ideas and proposals had been obtained. He further stated that through these discussions, the committee was able to gain a comprehensive understanding of the existing issues and salary disparities within their respective services. Accordingly, the Chair further stated that the interim report, which includes the ideas and proposals aimed at preparing a more formal and scientific salary scheme for all employees engaged in the public service, as well as making the existing service constitutions, recruitment procedures, promotions, and allowances fairer with a view to enhancing professionalism, will be submitted to the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. Hon. Members of Parliament Ajantha Gammeddage and Geetha Herath, Attorney at Law, other officials were present at this meeting.
2025-11-13
Eleven performance Reports and seven Annual Reports pertaining to institutions falling under the Ministry of Defence were considered and approved by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection. The said Committee met in Parliament recently (Nov. 11) under the chairmanship of, Hon. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Najith Indika. Accordingly, the consideration of Annual Performance Report of the Department of Meteorology for the year 2023, consideration of Annual Performance Reports of the Sri Lanka Air Forces for the Years 2023 & 2024, consideration of Annual Performance Reports of the Sri Lanka Army for the Years 2023 & 2024, consideration of Annual Performance Reports of the Sri Lanka Navy for the Years 2023 & 2024, consideration of Annual Performance Reports of the Department of Sri Lanka Coast Guard for the Years 2023 & 2024, consideration of Performance Reports of the Department of the Civil Security for the Years 2023 &2024, consideration of Annual Reports of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University for the Year 2022 & 2023, consideration of Annual Report of the Defence Service Command and Staff College for the year 2023, consideration of Annual Reports of the Disaster Management Centre for the Years 2022 & 2023, consideration of Annual Report of the Ranaviru Seva Authority for the Year 2023, consideration of Annual Report of the Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Ltd for the year 2020/2021 were approved post discussions held. The Hon. Members of Parliament, Thushari Jayasinghe, Attorney at Law, Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, Anushka Thilakarathne, Attorney at Law, Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara were also present in this meeting.
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.
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