PARLIAMENT

The attention of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) was drawn to the current performance of the Western Provincial Council and the Department of Cooperative Development.

This was discussed when the COPA met in Parliament recently (Jun. 04) under the chairmanship of the State Minister Hon. Lasantha Alagiyawanna.

Based on the Auditor General's reports for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, discussions were held regarding the current performance of the Western Provincial Council and the Department of Cooperative Development. The chair of the committee pointed out that there should be a long discussion regarding the Western Provincial Council and therefore this discussion will be conducted in 3 parts and the first part was held on that day.

Thus, the committee's attention was drawn to the crisis situation that has arisen due to the issuance of loans by cooperative societies without proper mechanism due to the weak regulation of the Western Province Cooperative Development Department. Thus, the committee pointed out that a huge tragedy based on this matter has already occurred. Because of this, the committee pointed out that the Western Province Cooperative Development Department should act with responsibility and it is important to take a general policy decision in this regard.

Attention was drawn here on the establishing of 3 Deputy General Manager posts as control, running and finance of the Western Province Passenger Transport Authority, 2 of which were appointed on the acting basis and the payment of Rs. 338872 as allowances. Also, facts regarding the submission of fake certificates to get these positions were revealed. Thus, the committee chair recommended to the Provincial Chief Secretary to conduct an investigation and submit a report to this committee.

Attention was also paid to the issuance of road permits by the ‘Road Passenger Transport Authority’ and the committee asked the officials about the issuance of bus routes for passenger transport through special permits. Thus, the officials pointed out that some buses have been given more turns to run on the expressway. The reason is that luxury buses should be used to travel on the highway, but there are only a few such buses. They pointed out that because of this, the number of buses will have to be deployed more frequently.

Also, the committee chair pointed out that buses are not deployed for certain routes at essential times. Thus, the chair of the committee instructed the officials to focus on preparing a schedule to deploy the existing buses in a formal manner.

The committee also instructed the officers to prepare an action plan to streamline the bus operation using modern technology.

Members of Parliament Hon. Tissa Attanayake, Hon. Jayantha Katagoda, Hon. Sahan Pradeep Withana, Hon. (Major) Pradeep Undugoda, Hon. (Dr.) Upul Galappatti, Hon. Weerasumana Weerasinghala, Hon Madura Vithanage and Hon (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya were present at this meeting.