2025-11-20
News Categories : Committee News
The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government was recently summoned to the Committee Appointed to Review Non-implementation of the Recommendations of the Parliamentary Committees to inquire into the delays in implementing the recommendations made by the Committee on Public Petitions of Parliament.
This matter was considered when the above committee met in Parliament on the Nov. 13th under the chairmanship of Hon. Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law.
Accordingly, the officials presented at the committee pointed out the practical problems that exist in implementing some of the said recommendations. The Committee was also informed that steps have already been taken to implement some of the recommendations. However, it was decided that the petitioner's views should also be sought regarding the problems arising in the implementation of certain recommendations, and accordingly, it was decided to summon the petitioners to the Committee on another date.
The meeting was attended by the Hon. Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law, Hon. Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Ajith P. Perera, Attorney-at-Law, and Oshani Umanga
2025-11-20
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability has drawn attention to the importance of accurately surveying and swiftly completing the mapping of all land in Sri Lanka. This matter was discussed when the Committee met on the Nov. 17th in Parliament, under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Hector Appuhamy, to review the annual reports and annual performance reports of several State corporations, departments, commissions, and boards for the years 2021, 2022, and 2023. During the meeting, officials from the Survey Department informed the Committee that, as estimated, Sri Lanka has approximately 16.5 million land parcels, of which only about 2.5 million have been surveyed and mapped. Emphasizing the importance of completing the surveying and mapping of the remaining land parcels as soon as possible, the Committee Chairman stated that all relevant parties would be summoned before the Committee to discuss the necessary actions and the future work plan. The Committee also reviewed the annual reports of the Land Reform Commission for the years 2022 and 2023. In addition, the Committee held extensive discussions regarding the revenue loss caused by the Land Reform Commission granting land without entering into legally valid agreements. The Committee Chairman emphasized the importance of issuing land under proper lease agreements in the future and instructed officials to formulate a mechanism to recover the outstanding lease payments and present a comprehensive report on all arrears to the Committee. The meeting was attended by Hon. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, and Committee Members Hon. MPs Gnanamuttu Srineshan, Susanta Kumara Navaratna, Sudath Balagalla, and Attorney-at-Law Bhagya Sri Herath.
2025-11-19
The Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) and Betting and Gaming Levy (Amendment) Bills were approved by the Committee on Public Finance. This approval was given at the meeting of the Committee on Public Finance, chaired by Hon. Dr. Harsha de Silva, held in Parliament on the Nov. 17th. Officials who attended pointed out that the Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill introduces four amendments to the Social Security Contribution Levy Act No. 25 of 2022. After an extensive discussion, the Committee granted its approval. In addition, the Betting and Gaming Levy (Amendment) Bill will amend the Betting and Gaming Levy Act No. 40 of 1988. Through these amendments, the gross collection levy will be increased from 15% to 18%, and the casino entrance levy imposed on Sri Lankan citizens will be increased from USD 50 to USD 100. After reviewing these proposals, the Committee granted approval. Further, approval was also given for a regulation issued under the Finance Act No. 11 of 2004, which extends the validity period for the payment of the International Telecommunication Operators’ Levy. Additionally, the Committee reviewed the Rules regarding Exercise License Fee under Section 32, read with Section 25 of the Excise Ordinance (Chapter 52). However, approval was not granted for these rules. The Chair of the Committee instructed that a proper analysis be provided to the Committee, after which the matter will be reconsidered. The meeting was attended by Hon. Deputy Ministers Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne, Nishantha Jayaweera, Hon. Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Attorney-at-Law Chitral Fernando, and Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra.
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.
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