PARLIAMENT

The attention of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) was focused on the performance and the role of the Human Rights Commission.

The discussion on this took place when the Committee on Public Accounts met in Parliament recently (Nov. 27) under the chairmanship of the State Minister Hon. Lasantha Alagiyawanna.

It was discussed at length how the Commission functions in fulfilling the role of the Human Rights Commission and how the funds allocated in the budget for this institution is spent.

Also, the Chairman of the Committee pointed out that due to public trust in the Human Rights Commission, it is the responsibility of the Commission to protect that trust.

Also, attention was also paid to the filling of the existing vacancies in the commission and the COPA recommended that the existing vacancies be filled quickly.

In addition, the committee also inquired about the non-operation of the data system provided to the commission by UNDP. The officials pointed out that this data system is functioning properly and shows a weakness in data entry from regional offices. Officials representing the regional offices said that officers will be deployed to enter the data locally at regional offices. And the committee mentioned that the necessary officials should be deployed for this purpose soon.

Also, the number of complaints received by this commission and the number of complaints resolved so far were also discussed. Thus, the committee pointed out the need to act quickly to resolve the number of complaints that have not yet been resolved by the Commission. It was also decided to summon the commission back to the committee on January 24, 2024.

State Minister Hon. Prasanna Ranaweera, Hon. Mohan Priyadarshana de Silva, Hon. Diana Gamage Members of Parliament Hon.Tissa Attanayake, Hon.J.C. Alavatuwala, Hon. Ashok Abeysinghe, Hon. Weerasumana Weerasinghe and Hon. Mudita Prishanthi participated at the meeting.