2025-03-08
News Categories : Committee News
The proposal submitted by the Ministry of Finance to increase the Excise Duty received the approval of the Committee on Public Finance. This approval was granted during the meeting of the Committee on Public Finance held on 06.03.2025 in Parliament, chaired by (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, Hon. Member of Parliament.
The Committee considered Gazette Extraordinary no. 2418/42 published under the Excise Notification No. 01/2025 (Excise Duty of Liquor) issued under the Section 22 of the Excise Ordinance (Chapter 52), Gazette Extraordinary no. 2418/43 published under the Order under the Section 3 of the Excise Special Provisions) Act, and Gazette Extraordinary no. 2415/79 published under the Regulations under section 112 of the Regulation of Insurance Industry Act No. 43 of 2000 at the Committee meeting held.
Accordingly, the Committee deliberated on the Order under Section 3 of the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, No. 13 of 1989, as well as Excise Notification No. 01/2025 issued under Section 22 of the Excise Ordinance (Chapter 52).
Officials who presented their views on the matter stated that under the Order pursuant to Section 3 of the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, No. 13 of 1989, an increase of 5.9% has been proposed for the excise duty imposed on all items subject to a fixed rupee value-based excise duty, including motor vehicles, cigarettes, aerated beverages, and tobacco products. Furthermore, under the Excise Notification No. 01/2025 issued under Section 22 of the Excise Ordinance (Chapter 52), an increase of 5.9% in the excise duty on liquor products has also been proposed, the officials said.
Expressing his views, the Committee Chair stated that the increase in the excise duty on cigarettes cannot be approved without concrete data and emphasized the need for justification regarding the steps taken to increase the excise duty on cigarettes. Furthermore, he pointed out that studies conducted on excise revenue from cigarettes indicate that this calculation method has led to a decline in government revenue while increasing the profits of particular manufacturing companies. Therefore, he stressed the importance of ensuring that this tax revision would indeed be beneficial to government revenue. Consequently, the Chair decided to reconsider the Order issued under Section 3 of the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, No. 13 of 1989 at the next Committee meeting following further clarifications from officials of the Ministry of Finance, regarding the excise duty increase.
Moreover, the proposal to increase the excise duty on liquor under Excise Notification No. 01/2025 issued under Section 22 of the Excise Ordinance (Chapter 52) was considered and approved by the Committee. During the discussions, Members of Parliament raised concerns that such tax increases could potentially drive individuals towards the consumption and production of illicit liquor. In response, officials stated that raids against illicit liquor operations are being conducted systematically. Additionally, they mentioned that within the past two months, the production of liquor in the country had increased by 22%, while revenue had grown by 23%. Furthermore, it was stated that plans are underway to introduce a new category of liquor with the aim of minimizing the consumption of illicit liquor.
Additionally, the Regulations issued under Section 112 of the Regulation of Insurance Industry Act No. 43 of 2000, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2415/79, were considered and approved by the Committee. Under this regulation, the annual levy payable by insurance companies to the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL) has been proposed to be increased from 0.125% to 0.2% of the gross written premium in order to cover the increased expenditure of the Commission.
During the discussions, the Chair informed the Committee of certain instances where the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL) had not carried out regulatory functions effectively. He further expressed his dissatisfaction regarding the delayed actions taken by the Commission under the prevailing law concerning the situation at MBSL Insurance. He instructed officials to keep the Committee informed of future measures to be taken in this regard. Moreover, the Committee emphasized the necessity for the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka to develop and present a strategic plan to enhance the insurance sector as an industry in the country.
The Committee also held an extensive discussion on the complexities involved in obtaining claims under third-party insurance. It was highlighted that there is a need for simplified regulations to ensure that claimants can access third-party insurance funds more easily in the event of an accident. The Committee directed the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka to address this matter.
Additionally, the Chair drew the attention of the Committee to the possibility of utilizing funds deposited in insurance reserves through banking mechanisms for development purposes. Consequently, the Director General of the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka was instructed to formulate and submit a regulatory framework for this purpose after engaging in discussions with industry stakeholders.
The Committee also discussed taxation related to casinos. The Chair pointed out that while taxes are imposed on physically established casino establishments, a large number of online casinos operate without any taxation. He stressed the need to address this issue and bring these online casinos under a regulatory framework. Furthermore, he reiterated that the Committee had been working for years to establish a Casino Regulatory Authority and stated that steps would be taken to inform the Attorney General’s Department to expedite the drafting of the necessary legislation.
This meeting was attended by Hon. Deputy Ministers (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma and Chathuranga Abeysinghe, along with Hon. Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Harshana Rajakaruna, (Dr.) Kaushalya Ariyaratne, Nimal Palihena, Wijesiri Basnayake, and (Attorney-at-Law) Lakmali Hemachandra.
2026-03-17
The Committee on Public Finance has granted approval for the motion on the determination of the remuneration and the service conditions of officers and employees of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), in accordance with the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2023.This approval was given after consideration at a meeting of the Committee on Public Finance held in Parliament on 10.03.2026, under the chairmanship of Hon. Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva. Committee members present included Deputy Minister Nishantha Jayaweera and Chathuranga Abeysinghe, as well as Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Wijesiri Basnayake, and Nimal Palihena.At the meeting, Director General of the Commission, Ranga Dissanayake, stated that under the Anti-Corruption Act passed in 2023, the Commission operates as a new institution. He pointed out that the Commission is required to appoint its own officers and staff, and that their remuneration and service conditions must be determined with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance and with the approval of Parliament.He also expressed regret that these processes had been delayed for up to two years following the enactment of the law.The Ministry of Finance, through the Department of Management Services, has approved 971 positions required for the Commission, along with their salary structures, including special allowances.The Committee noted that the proposed salaries for legal officers attached to the Commission are lower than those of legal officers attached to the Attorney General’s Department. However, approval was granted in order to avoid further delays and to proceed with recruitment. The Committee emphasized the need to place these positions on proper salary scales in the future to strengthen the institution.It was also stated that a proposal regarding the salary scales of the Chairperson, Commissioners, and the Director General of the Commission will be submitted in due course. The Committee expects that these salaries will be aligned with those of Court of Appeal judges, as previously recommended.The Committee further pointed out that, given the sensitive nature of the Commission’s work, the inability of its staff to engage in private earnings or consultancy, and the potential for conflicts of interest, it is reasonable for the Commission’s staff, Commissioners, and Director General to be paid higher salaries compared to standard public sector levels.The Director General also highlighted that operating the Commission solely from Colombo poses challenges. Conducting investigations and raids nationwide from Colombo, as well as bringing witnesses to Colombo to provide testimony, creates difficulties. Therefore, there are plans to establish district-level offices in the future, with an initial aim of setting up at least nine provincial offices.
2026-03-10
The caucus will intervene to the fullest extent to bring Parliament closer to the people through transparency, accountability, participation, and inclusivity – Co-Chairs emphasizeSteps taken to develop a set of future programme proposals and a working terms of referenceA two-day residential workshop for Members of the Parliamentary Caucus for Open Parliament Initiative was successfully held on 06 and 07 March in Kalutara.The workshop was organized with the support of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and the Coalition for Inclusive Impact (CII).Members of the caucus, including its Co-Chairs Hon. Minister of Science and Technology (Prof.) Krishantha Abeysena and Hon. Member of Parliament Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam, as well as several officials of the Parliament Secretariat, participated in the workshop.During the workshop, discussions were held on planning future programmes to be implemented by the Parliamentary Caucus for Open Parliament Initiative, drawing on the views of the caucus members and expert resource persons.Accordingly, a detailed introduction to the concepts of Open Government and Open Parliament was presented. The National Consultant, Ms. Angelina Herman, outlined the steps required to make Parliament a more accessible institution to the public through the key principles of the Open Parliament process: Transparency, Accountability, Participation, and Inclusivity. Discussions were also held on practices adopted by various countries around the world in implementing the Open Parliament concept.Furthermore, Assistant Secretary-General of Parliament Mr. Hansa Abeyratne explained the steps taken by the Parliament of Sri Lanka since the initial establishment of this caucus in 2015 to bring Parliament closer to the people.In addition, Chief Legal Officer of the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Ms. Gayani Premathilaka delivered an awareness session on the committee system of local government institutions and ways to enhance public participation in those committees.The workshop also facilitated an exchange of knowledge and ideas between resource persons and caucus members, leading to the development of a working terms of reference and a strategic action plan for the caucus.Speaking at the event, Co-Chairs Hon. Minister (Prof.) Krishantha Abeysena and Hon. Member of Parliament Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam emphasized that the Parliamentary Caucus for Open Parliament Initiative will continue to take the necessary measures to ensure greater engagement in making Parliament a more people-centred institution.Mr. Sanje Vignaraja, Country Director for the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), and Ms. Dilashinee Angunawela, Strategy & Governance Specialist representing the Coalition for Inclusive Impact (CII), were also present on the occasion.
2026-03-06
The Third District Consultation aimed at strengthening inclusive service delivery for persons with disabilities was recently (Feb. 27) held in Batticaloa District. The event was organized by the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities of the Tenth Parliament and convened at the Batticaloa Municipal Council Hall . The consultation was held under the patronage of the Chair of the Caucus, Hon. Member of Parliament Sugath Wasantha de Silva and Batticaloa District Secretary J.S. Arulraj. The event was attended by the Deputy Co-Chairman, Hon. Member of Parliament (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathyalingam, as well as Members of Parliament representing the Batticaloa District Shanakyan Rajaputhiran Rajamanickam, (Dr.) Ilayathambi Sirinath, Gnanamuthu Srinesan, and Kanthasamy Prabu. Senior government officials including Assistant District Secretary G. Praveen, District Social Service Officer Chandrakala Gnaneswaran, police officers, sectoral experts, and social development officers participated in the discussions. The representatives of the organizations of person with disabilities of Batticaloa districts were also participated in this event. The urgency of the consultation was underscored by the statistics indicating that more than 9,000 persons with disabilities reside in Batticaloa District, supported by 14 active associations. District Secretary J. S. Arulraj highlighted critical service gaps, including the immediate need for 21 trained teachers across 23 special education units currently serving 183 students. He also raised concerns regarding the issuance of formal identification cards for persons with disabilities, difficulties in obtaining driving licences, and widespread accessibility barriers in public buildings.In his address, Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva emphasized that the consultation represented a unified, non-partisan effort to foster a compassionate and inclusive society. He stated that services for persons with disabilities must be delivered on the basis of humanity and equality. He further announced that the Caucus plans to engage with the Ministry of Education in March to address systemic barriers in qualifying examinations for government employment. He called upon government officials and political leaders to collaborate with dedication to resolve longstanding challenges faced by persons with disabilities.Deputy Co-Chairman (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathyalingam stressed the importance of identifying and supporting persons with disabilities in Batticaloa who have not yet received assistance. He highlighted the need for coordinated action through relevant institutions to ensure adequate facilities and services, particularly for individuals affected by conflict and other causes of disability.Members of Parliament representing the district drew attention to persistent shortcomings in service delivery and the practical challenges faced by persons with disabilities in their daily lives. The participants from disability community raised several concerns, including extending deadlines for educational allowances; adapting competitive examinations for visually impaired candidates through Braille-based alternatives; providing priority access in hospitals to reduce waiting times; ensuring that reserved seating on public transportation is respected; and improving accessibility at local government offices, where meetings are often held on upper floors without ramps or elevators.While some matters were addressed immediately through directives issued to relevant officials, others were referred to district authorities and the Parliamentary Caucus for longer-term policy reform, reflecting a commitment to sustainable and systemic change.The Chair of the Caucus reaffirmed that the Union remains committed to conducting district-level visits nationwide to listen directly to the concerns of persons with disabilities and to proposing practical, policy-driven solutions to ensure inclusive governance across Sri Lanka.The event was organized collaboratively by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), with funding support from the Government of Australia, in partnership with the Batticaloa District Secretariat.
2026-02-24
The Committee on High Posts of Parliament has approved the nominations of two Heads of Mission and a Ministry Secretary.The approvals were granted when the Committee met in Parliament recently (Feb. 20) under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.Accordingly, the Committee approved the nomination of Mrs. Nirmala Indumathie Dias Paranavitana as Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the African Union.The Committee also approved the nomination of Professor Mohamed Ibrahim Fazeeha Azmi as the new Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Islamic Republic of Iran.In addition, approval was granted for the appointment of Mr. K.A. Vimalenthirarajah as the Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development.
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