News

COPF takes up 2 reports to be submitted to Parliament

Published

3 years ago

November 17, 2022

editor

The Committee on Public Finance took into discussion the two reports to be submitted to Parliament by the Committee post presenting the Appropriation Bill to Parliament in accordance with the Standing Orders of Parliament.

This was discussed at the Committee on Public Finance which met in the Parliament recently (15) under the chairmanship of (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, Member of Parliament.

According to Standing Order 121, a report on estimates including whether the allocation of government funds is consistent with the policies of the government after the presentation of the Appropriation Bill every year and a report on the taxation, fiscal and economic assumptions used as a basis for arriving at the total expenditure and revenue, prior to the commencement of the Committee Stage of the budget should be presented to Parliament.

Accordingly, it was discussed about preparing these two reports and presenting them to the Parliament and the opinions of Dr. Dushni Weerakoon, Dr. Nisha Arunatilake and Yuthika Indraratna who are working on the preparation of the two reports were also taken at the Committee meeting held.

The Chairman of the Committee (Dr.) Harsha de Silva further mentioned that after preparing the drafts of these two reports, he hopes to submit these two reports to the Parliament in the future post including the comments of the members of the Committee.

Furthermore, for the first time, the Committee on Public Finance is at present working with a group of economic experts and Dr. Dushni Weerakoon and Dr. Nisha Arunatilake, who are members of the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, are also working in support to the group.

The annual program prepared by the National Audit Office for the year 2023 was also considered here. Furthermore, several matters presented by Hon. Anupa Pasqual, Member of Parliament to the Committee were considered and matters regarding the Parliamentary Budget Office was also discussed at the committee meeting.

News

CID probing into ex-President Ranil’s overseas trips

Published

9 hours ago

June 24, 2025

editor

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today (June 24) that it has launched an investigation into the overseas trips made by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe during his tenure as president.

The CID reported the facts to the court and stated that the investigation is being conducted under the Public Property Act.

News

Nelumwewa hot springs to be boosted as tourist destination

Published

9 hours ago

June 24, 2025

editor

As part of the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative, a development project has been proposed to enhance the area surrounding the Nelumwewa hot springs in Welikanda, Polonnaruwa, with the aim of promoting it as a tourist attraction.

A discussion regarding the proposed development was held this morning (June 24) at the site, followed by a field inspection.

Until now, the hot springs area has not been adequately developed, leading to a diminished interest from both local and international tourists.

During the discussion, attention was drawn to the importance of developing the Nelumwewa hot springs, the site’s tourism and scientific potential and its current condition.

Proposals currently being evaluated involve enhancing forest cover in the surrounding area, beautifying the island adjacent to the hot springs and building a bridge from the mainland to the island to facilitate better access for visitors.

Among those present were Deputy Minister of Housing T.B. Sarath, Chairman of the Welikanda Pradeshiya Sabha, D.W. Wasantha, retired hydrologist Prof. Dharma Gunawardena of the University of Peradeniya and officials from the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, the Mahaweli Authority, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, the Welikanda Divisional Secretariat and several other institutions.

(President’s Media Division)

News

22 Oluwil university students suspended over ragging

Published

9 hours ago

June 24, 2025

editor

A group of 22 students from Oluwil University have been suspended for allegedly ragging first-year students, Vice Chancellor Prof. S.M. Junaideen said.

The university’s Registrar, M.I. Naufer, stated that a special committee made up of university professors has been appointed to carry out a formal investigation into the incident.

According to preliminary reports, a group of second-year students from the Engineering Faculty were involved in ragging several first-year students. University authorities said strict disciplinary action would be taken based on the findings of the investigation.

The incident has raised fresh concerns about ragging in universities, which remains a serious issue despite longstanding efforts to eliminate the practice from Sri Lanka’s higher education institutions.

(dailymirror.lk)

(This story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)