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COPE chair criticizes Mahaweli Authority

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The Committee on Public Enterprise evaluates the current performance of the Mahaweli Authority following the Auditor General’s Report of 2020 & 2021.

Professor Ranjith Bandara, Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprise took exception at the outdated ‘Vision’ statement and Key Performance Indicators of the Authority following consistent failure to deliver its services with integrity and quality.
The Chairman began proceedings with a stern look at the inability of the body to ‘raise the living standards of the citizens’ – a mantra clearly highlighted in the body’s vision statement. He directed the Director-General of the Mahaweli Authority to examine its policy and practices and re-invent the fundamentals of the body itself to reflect the modern world better. On this note, the Committee further queried the lack of digital infrastructure in the land reservation process and directed the Authority to take measures to strengthen it.

Regarding the conveyance of lands, the Committee directed the Authority to submit the following:
• Report on existing land conveyance procedure to be submitted within 02 weeks.
• Report on how lands conveyed for investment purposes was completed including details of the investor, purpose of investments, etc. to be submitted within 02 weeks.
• Report on illegal constructions taking place within the purview of the body to be submitted within 01 month.

Following an incongruence between the annual report submitted to parliament and the data sought out by the Auditor General’s office, an urgent report of all lands released in 2022 was requested. This comes on the heels of the President’s directive where a stay order was made on the issuance of lands.

The Recruitment Process Management was scrutinized, and it was found that there were vacancies that had not been filled up owing to suspected reservations for promotions to the existing staff internally. The Chairman of COPE immediately directed that the vacancies be filled within the next 60 days.
The Committee directed that all issues be revisited for review and accountability on 21-07-2023.

(Prof.) Ranjith Bandara, M.P., (Chair), Hon. Jagath Pushpakumara, Hon. Janaka Wakkumbura M.P., M.P, Hon. Shantha Bandara, Hon. Mahindananda Aluthgamage M.P., Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekera M.P., Hon. Eran Wickremaratne M.P., Hon. Jayantha Samaraweera M.P., Hon. Sanjeeva Edirimanna M.P., Hon. Jagath Kumara Sumithraarachchi, M.P., Hon. (Major) Sudarshana Denipitiya, M.P., Hon. Premnath Dolawatte, Attorney-at-Law M.P., Hon. M Rameshwaran, M.P., Hon. (Mrs.) Rajika Wickramasinghe, M.P., Hon. Madhura Withanage, M.P., Prof. Charitha Herath M.P. were present

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NPP wins Tangalle Urban Council in first LG election results

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The Election Commission has released the first official results from the 2025 Local Government polls, with the National People’s Power (NPP) claiming victory in the Tangalle Urban Council, Hambantota District.  

Tangalle Urban Council Results
National People’s Power (NPP): 2,260 votes (9 seats)  
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB): 1,397 votes (5 seats)  
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP): 795 votes (3 seats)  
United National Party (UNP):  265 votes (1 seat)  
Sarvajana Balaya (SB): 177 votes (1 seat)  

The JVP-led NPP’s strong showing in this southern urban council marks a significant shift in the region traditionally dominated by the SLPP. 

Political analysts note this could signal changing voter sentiments amid economic pressures.  

Voting concluded at 4:00 p.m. today after a largely peaceful process. 

Counting continues for 338 other local bodies, with results expected through the night.  

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LG polls : voting concludes peacefully

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Voting of the 2025 Local Government elections concluded at 4.00 pm today (May 06).

The Election Commission has stated that the voting process was peaceful overall, with no incidents of violence reported during the polling period.

Voting ended with varying turnout in various districts as most districts have reported turnout of about 50% or less as at 3.00 pm.

Meanwhile, police say that special security arrangements are continued even after voting is concluded.

Police Media Spokesperson, SSP Buddhika Manatunga, has urged the public to remain calm and peaceful during the post-election period as well.

A total of 75,589 candidates are contesting from various political parties and independent groups at this year’s Local Government election.

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World Bank group President to visit SL tomorrow

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World Bank group President – Ajay Banga will visit Sri Lanka tomorrow (May 07).

It is the first visit by the head of the multilateral lender in 20 years, following an invitation extended by President Anura Kumara Disanayake last year.

“The visit comes at a critical moment, as Sri Lanka continues its path toward economic recovery and seeks to build a more resilient, inclusive, and private sector-led future,” the World Bank says.

Banga will meet President Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and senior government and private sector leaders.

“These discussions will center on how Sri Lanka can overcome current challenges and seize new opportunities as it continues to recover economically and socially,” the World Bank added.

The World Bank Group currently maintains a portfolio of projects in Sri Lanka valued at $2.2 billion, encompassing both public and private sector investments. While recent reports have acknowledged Sri Lanka’s progress, the Bank continues to emphasize the need for poverty reduction and reform continuity to ensure sustained recovery.

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