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Cabinet approval sought to designate Wallapatta as an agricultural crop!

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The Committee on Public Accounts drew attention to the current performance of the Department of Export Agriculture and the Department of Agrarian Development.

Attention was drawn to the said matter when the Committee on Public Accounts met in Parliament recently (June 18) under the Chairmanship of the State Minister – Lasantha Alagiyawanna.

The displeasure of the Committee was expressed regarding the Department of Export Agriculture not trying to develop the export in a wide range. The Committee pointed in particular that when this department was called before COPA in 2016, plans were made to increase the current export income of 0.5 billion dollars to 1 billion dollars by the year 2020. However, the Committee pointed out that it has not been fulfilled at a satisfactory level. Furthermore, the Committee mentioned that sufficient efforts are not being made to increase the export income even at this very moment.

Officials pointed out that plans have been made to identify crops with higher productivity in regions and grow them. Thus, it was recommended to submit a report in this regard to the Committee before July 31st.

Cabinet approval sought to designate Wallapatta as agricultural crop
The committee’s attention was drawn towards the issues related to the promotion of the Wallapatta plant. The Committee inquired regarding the significance of the Wallapatta plant. Furthermore, the Committee inquired whether this is a plant that harms the environment.  The officials present pointed out that this plant was used for the perfume industry and now the demand which existed has decreased. The officials present also pointed out that the cultivation of this plant does not cause any environmental damage and stated that they are hoping to get the approval of the Cabinet to designate this crop as an agricultural crop.

Delayed answers to audit queriesThe Committee questioned the officials regarding the delay in providing answers to the audit queries related to the Department of Agricultural Development and the delay in holding the Management Audit Committee meetings. Thus, the Committee instructed to convene the management audit committees in the 25 districts within the month of July.

Non-establishment of Agricultural Development CouncilsFurthermore, the Committee’s attention was drawn to the non-establishment of Agricultural Development Councils.  He recommended that a report in this regard be given to the Committee before July 15th.

Report on reclaiming paddy land
In addition, it was also recommended to give a report covering all 25 districts to the Committee regarding reclamation of paddy land.

At the end of the Committee meeting, the Committee Chair, State Minister – Lasantha Alagiyawanna mentioned that the Committee will meet and discuss again on July 26th regarding the matters contained in the report of the Auditor General Luhudu related to the Department of Agricultural Development.

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This week’s Cabinet decisions

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A number of decisions have been taken at the Cabinet meeting held yesterday (May 07).

The decisions taken by the Cabinet of Ministers are as follows :

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New Commissioner General appointed to Examinations Dept.

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Subhashini Indika Kumari Liyanage has been appointed as the new Commissioner General of Examinations, effective immediately.

She succeeds H.J.M.C.A. Jayasundara, whose term ended on May 06, 2025.

Liyanage, a Special Grade Officer of the Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service, previously served as an Examinations Commissioner in the Department of Examinations.

Her appointment was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

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Speaker announces MPs nominated to serve on 06 SoCs

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Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne announced to Parliament today (May 08) the members nominated by the Committee of Selection to serve on 06 Sectoral Oversight Committees.

Accordingly, the members appointed to the 06 Sectoral Oversight Committees are as follows.

Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations

  • Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi
  • Mrs.Sagarika Athauda, Attorney at Law
  • Mrs.Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney at Law
  • Kanthasamy Prabu
  • Wijesiri Basnayake
  • Thilina Samarakoon
  • Ms. Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney at Law

Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development

  • Manjula Suraweera Arachchi
  • K. Ilankumaran
  • Ravindra Bandara
  • Danushka Ranganath
  • Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana
  • Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha
  • Mrs. Geetha Herath, Attorney at Law

Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital

  • Aboobucker Athambawa
  • Ms. Krishnan Kalaichelvi
  • Mrs. Nilusha Lakmali Gamage
  • Sugath Wasantha de Silva
  • Sujeewa Dissanayake
  • Sanjeewa Ranasingha
  • Sunil Rajapaksha

Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Media and Women’s Empowerment

  • Muneer Mulaffer
  • Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe
  • Mrs. Samanmali Gunasingha
  • Prof. Sena Nanayakkara
  • Dr. S. Sri Bavanandarajah
  • Jagath Manuwarna
  • Ruwan Mapalagama

Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability

  • Roshan Akmeemana
  • Upul Kithsiri
  • Mrs.M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani
  • Susantha Kumara Nawarathna
  • Sudath Balagalla
  • Kitnan Selvaraj
  • Bhagya Sri Herath, Attorney at Law

Sectoral Oversight Committee on Science, Technology and Digital Transformation

  • Chathuranga Abeysinghe
  • Arkam Ilyas
  • Lasith Bhashana Gamage
  • Thanura Dissanayake
  • Mrs. Hasara Liyanage, Attorney at Law
  • Dr. Janaka Senarathna
  • Chandima Hettiaratchi

The Speaker also announced that the Committee of Selection had also nominated Members of Parliament Wasantha Samarasinghe, Sundaralingam Pradeep, Aboobucker Athambawa to serve on the Committee on Parliamentary Business.

In addition, the Speaker further announced to Parliament that the Committee of Selection had also nominated Members of Parliament Aboobucker Athambawa, Arkam Ilyas, Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran to serve on the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and Member of Parliament Sunil Rathnasiri to serve on the Committee on Public Accounts. (COPA).

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