The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability has instructed officials to immediately prepare a plan for the environmentally friendly disposal of ash emitted from the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant.

According to a Parliament statement, these instructions were given at a meeting of the Committee held in Parliament on March 17, under the chairmanship of MP Hector Appuhamy.

It was revealed during the meeting that, due to issues related to the quality of coal imported to Sri Lanka for power generation, the volume of ash emitted during electricity generation has increased significantly. 

The Committee noted that if this ash is not properly disposed of, there is a risk of future environmental damage. Accordingly, officials were directed to formulate a plan under the leadership of the District Secretary of the Puttalam District to take the necessary measures.

It was also proposed that the possibility of reusing the removed ash for production purposes be studied, and that any revenue generated from such products be utilized for welfare projects benefiting the communities affected by the power plant.

In addition, the Committee instructed the Central Environmental Authority to submit a comprehensive report on whether water and air pollution have occurred as a result of the Norochcholai Power Plant. 

Furthermore, the North Western Provincial Environmental Authority was also recommended to respond within two weeks regarding the questionnaire and related matters submitted by the Committee in connection with the Norochcholai Power Plant.

Officials of the North Western Provincial Environmental Authority stated that although the volume of ash emitted from the plant has increased, the filtration system in use at the plant is sufficient to absorb these particles. Several matters, including the issuance of environmental protection licenses for the power plant, were discussed in detail.

The meeting was attended by Committee Members, Hon. Members of Parliament Kings Nelson, Roshan Akmeemana, Attorney-at-Law Chithral Fernando, Susantha Kumara Navaratne, Kitnan Selvaraj and Upul Kithsiri. (Newswire)

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The importance of gaining a clear understanding of how Sri Lanka’s responsible institutions operate during natural disasters such as Cyclone Ditwah was discussed at the first meeting of the Parliamentary Select Committee tasked with studying the country’s lack of preparedness.

The Committee, chaired by Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, convened in Parliament last week (19), during which Minister Jayatissa stressed that identifying institutional roles and responses is crucial to effectively carrying forward the Committee’s work.

To this end, members agreed to summon officials from the Disaster Management Centre, the Department of Meteorology, the Department of Irrigation, and the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka to the next two meetings for preliminary briefings. It was also proposed that technical experts with specialized knowledge be called upon periodically to assist in clarifying complex matters.

According to a Parliament statement, the Committee is required to submit its report to Parliament within three months, by June 19, 2026. 

The Chair noted that the report will not only address the shortcomings revealed by Cyclone Ditwah but also include recommendations for establishing stronger mechanisms to respond effectively to future disasters.

The meeting was attended by Members of Parliament Anuradha Jayaratne, Hector Appuhamy, Rohini Kumari Wijerathna, M.K.M. Aslam, Anushka Thilakaratne, Kanthasamy Prabhu, Ruwan Mapalagama, and Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa also participated with special permission from the Chair. (Newswire)

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Opposition MP Ajith. P. Perera has been elected as Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development of the Tenth Parliament of Sri Lanka. 

According to a Parliament statement, the Kalutara District SJB MP was elected during the inaugural meeting of the committee convened at the Parliament complex yesterday (27 May). 

In line with a prior agreement between the ruling party and the opposition, the chairmanship of this particular Sectoral Oversight Committee has been offered to a member of the opposition. 

Accordingly, the name of MP Ajith P Perera was proposed for the chairmanship by MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha and seconded by MP Jagath Vithana.

Subsequently, the National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill, which is scheduled to be debated for the second reading in Parliament on 05 June, was discussed at the meeting, in the presence of officials from several relevant institutions, including the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation.

During the meeting, the officials said that this amendment bill was presented by including provisions to solve the practical issues that the Transport Commission had been facing for a long time. It was approved by the committee. The basic issues regarding the fundamental changes that should be made in the transport sector were also discussed. (Newswire)

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The Opposition has decided to refrain from appointing representatives or officially participating in several Parliamentary committees, including the Committee on Parliamentary Business.

According to The Morning newspaper, Chief Opposition Whip MP Gayantha Karunathilleka said the opposition will refrain from participating until their representation in Parliamentary committees is increased. 

He said a request had been made from the relevant authorities including the President and both former and incumbent Speakers of the Parliament that the Opposition’s representation in committees such as the Parliamentary Business Committee, the Committee on Public Enterprises, and the Committee on Public Accounts be increased.

MP Gayantha Karunathilleka said, however, there had been no favourable response.

Stating that the Opposition Leader and Chief Opposition Whip can officially attend the Parliamentary Business Committee, he said, however, only four other Opposition MPs are allowed to be appointed to it. 

MP Gayantha Karunathilleka further pointed out that in the previous Parliament, with just six political parties in the Opposition, 10 Opposition MPs were appointed to the Parliamentary Business Committee.

“Now, with 12 political parties in the Opposition, the current representation of four is insufficient. We raised this issue with the former Speaker Ashoka Ranwala. After his resignation, we discussed it with the current Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, and he said that he would study the matter. We also met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in the Parliament, and he said that we would be provided with a flexible solution. However, nothing has happened yet,” he alleged. (Newswire)

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New office bearers have been appointed to the Sri Lanka – United Kingdom Parliamentary Friendship Association.

MP Chandima Weerakkody was appointed as the President of the Association, while State Minister Diana Gamage, MPs S.M.M. Muszhaaraff and Ashok Abeysinghe were appointed as the Vice Presidents. 

MP M. A. Sumanthiran was appointed as Secretary, MP Harshana Rajakaruna as Assistant Secretary, and MP Sagara Kariyawasam as Treasurer.

The meeting to elect office bearers for the Sri Lanka – United Kingdom Parliamentary Friendship Association of the Ninth Parliament was held at the Parliament last week (08) under the chairmanship of the Speaker, MP Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana.

According to a statement from the Parliament, the Acting High Commissioner of the United Kingdom in Sri Lanka Lisa Whanstall was present at the meeting as the Chief Guest. 

The Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakse, Ministers and Members of Parliament and the Secretary General of the Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera were also present.

Speaking at this occasion, the Speaker expressed his gratitude for all the support given to Sri Lanka through the bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom for seven decades. Furthermore, he also expressed gratitude for providing opportunities for Members of Parliament and Parliamentary staff through seminars, workshops and study tours through the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD).

Addressing those present, the Acting High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Sri Lanka, Lisa Whanstall said that the United Kingdom is happy to support Sri Lanka through multilateral organizations such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the United Nations to overcome the economic crisis.

Whanstall added that she is ready to work with other lenders and the Government of Sri Lanka to restore debt sustainability.

Addressing the meeting, the newly elected President of the Sri Lanka-United Kingdom Parliamentary Friendship Association MP Chandima Weerakkody expressed his gratitude for appointing him as president. He also stated that through this he hopes to further strengthen and develop the relations between the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka. (NewsWire)

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