2025-11-15
News Categories : Committee News
The annual report of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation for the year 2022 and the annual report of the Independent Television Network for the year 2023 were reviewed at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Media and Women’s Empowerment.
This took place at the meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Media and Women’s Empowerment, chaired by Hon. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe, held in Parliament on 13.11.2025.
The annual report of the Independent Television Network for the year 2023 was first taken up for consideration by the Committee. The officials of the Network briefed the Committee their current financial situation and other related issues. According to the 2023 annual report, the Independent Television Network has recorded a loss exceeding Rs. 164 million during the said year. However, the officials stated that steps are being taken to gradually reduce the amount of losses and bring the Independent Television Network back to normal financial stability.
The officials also informed the Committee that the collection of arrears due to the institution over the past several years is currently at a satisfactory level. There was also lengthy discussion regarding the high cost incurred to purchase Indian teledrama series broadcast on the Independent Television Service and the outstanding payments still to be made for those teledramas. Furthermore, discussion was held regarding the importance of expanding broadcasting services to the Northern and Eastern provinces. Expressing his views, the Chair of the Committee instructed the officials to take necessary steps to identify the issues faced by the Independent Television Network precisely and inform the Committee within three months on how they intend to resolve them.
Thereafter, the annual report of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation for the year 2022 was reviewed by the Committee. The officials of the institution briefed the Committee on the current financial situation and operational matters of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. They pointed out that 48% of the payments currently due are tax payments that must be paid along with penalties. The officials further pointed out that the technical equipment currently used by the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation is very outdated and that certain electrical equipment is being operated by employees at considerable risk to their lives. They also stated that the land on which the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation operates still does not belong to the Corporation, and highlighted the importance of securing land ownership for the Corporation for future development activities.
Expressing his views, the Chair of the Committee emphasized the importance of strategic planning to uplift both institutions and stated that the matters presented will be forwarded to the relevant sectors.
Hon. Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer, and Hon. Members of Parliament Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan, (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna, Samanmalee Gunasinghe, (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara, (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah, Jagath Manuwarna, and Ruwan Mapalagama, along with 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.
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 contractor has claimed Rs. 4,227 million as compensation due to the entire project being delayed by 548 days – COPE disclose Attention of the Committee drawn to the acquisition and disposal of all lands belonging to the Port Authority Extended discussions were held at the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) regarding the delay in construction activities of the East Container Terminal of the Colombo Port and the circumstances that arose due to the delay of the entire project. These discussions took place at the meeting held on the Nov. 13th in Parliament under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera, Chair of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), in order to examine the Auditor General’s Reports for the years 2022 and 2023 and the current performance of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority was summoned before the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) on the 10th of September and the Auditor General’s Reports of 2022 and 2023 and the current performance were examined, and the matters that could not be discussed on that day were taken up for discussion at the Committee meeting held on this day. The Committee pointed out that Cabinet approval had been granted in November 2021 to award a contract worth Rs. 40,273 million to an institution for the development activities of the East Container Terminal of the Colombo Port. Agreements regarding this had been signed in December 2021, and the construction activities were scheduled to be completed by 03 January 2025. However, due to several reasons, the construction activities were delayed, and it was revealed that after extending the time period, these activities are now scheduled to be completed in July 2026. The Committee pointed out that due to the delay of 548 days, the contractor has claimed Rs. 4,227 million as compensation, and the Chair of the Committee instructed that a report containing all relevant particulars be submitted to the Committee. Officials present pointed out that development activities are currently being carried out very rapidly and that the work will be completed soon. Attention of the Committee was also drawn to the food expenses of the employees of the Authority, and the Committee noted that the recommendations given by COPE in 2023 had not been implemented. Accordingly, the officials stated that measures have now been taken to reduce expenses and that a competitive tender procedure has been introduced to minimize costs. Drawing attention to the taking over and eviction of all lands belonging to the Ports Authority, the Chair of the Committee emphasized that legal action should be taken regarding the lands for which the courts have issued orders to evict or recover. Officials stated that necessary steps have already been taken in this regard. Attention was also drawn to the change of the name of the Seeduwa Raddolugama Sports Club to Sri Lanka Ports Authority Sports Club, as well as the recruitment of players attached to that sports club as employees of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. Hon. Members of Parliament, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, S.M. Marikkar, Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney at Law, MKM Aslam, (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam, (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah, Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga, Thilina Samarakoon, Samanmali Gunasingha, Sunil Rajapaksha, Chandima Hettiarachchi, and Dinesh Hemanta participated in this 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.
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
