The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development has expressed dissatisfaction with the Department of Railways over its progress related to the Kelani Valley Railway Line Project and the Thambuttegama Railway Station Development Project. 

The view was disclosed during a review of the financial and physical progress of the 2025 budget proposals of four ministries held in Parliament recently (11), under the chairmanship of MP S.M. Marikkar.

The Committee examined the financial and physical progress of the budget proposals for the year 2025 relating to the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, and the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development. Secretaries of these ministries and heads of relevant institutions were summoned to the meeting.

According to a Parliament statement, attention was drawn to the Kelani Valley Railway Line Project, for which Rs. 250 million had been allocated last year, yet its progress remains minimal. The Committee observed that although funds were allocated through the budget in March 2025, satisfactory progress has not been achieved, reflecting inefficiency within the Department of Railways.

For the current year as well, Rs. 840 million has been allocated for the Kelani Valley Railway Line. However, the Committee noted that without a proper and efficient plan, it would be impossible to achieve the targeted progress, resulting ultimately in the public expectations not being met in due time.

The Committee further reviewed the utilization of funds allocated for the Thambuttegama Railway Station Development Project under the 2025 budget and pointed out that the technical explanations provided by officials were completely unsatisfactory.

Expressing regret over the continued delays in project implementation, which ultimately lead to unutilized funds being returned to the Treasury, the Committee expressed its dissatisfaction. Accordingly, the Committee instructed the Department of Railways to present specific plans with timelines instead of vague technical responses.

It was also decided to summon again the Department of Railways, Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), and other relevant institutions to review the progress of fund utilization under the budget, and officials were directed to attend with accurate and complete data.

Further attention was paid to the budget proposals of these four ministries, including highway and rural bridge renovation, procurement of new buses, renovation of Colombo apartment buildings under the Urban Development Authority, and future goals in the energy sector.

The Committee also informed the officials of the Ports Authority to take steps to promptly submit the report on the possibility of making the Galle Port profitable, as previously notified.

Additionally, the Chairman expressed appreciation for the performance of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, as revealed during previous Committee sessions. (Newswire)

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Several proposals and recommendations submitted by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) regarding the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill were considered by the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development on Tuesday.

Taking up for discussion the amendments of this Bill, agreement was also reached on several matters during the committee meeting held under the chairmanship of MP S. M. Marikkar in Parliament.

Officials representing a number of institutions, including the Ministry of Energy, the Attorney General’s Department, and the Ceylon Electricity Board, were present at this Committee meeting. 

The Attorney General’s Department also expressed its views on the draft Bill before the committee.

It has been decided to print the draft Bill in all three languages along with the agreed amendments and submit it for approval by the committee on 17 July, during its next meeting. 

Members of Parliament Kabir Hashim, Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, Ajith P. Perera, Asitha Niroshana Egoda Withana, Geetha Herath and Ravindra Bandara also participated in the committee meeting. (Newswire)

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Three Chairpersons were appointed to Sectoral Oversight Committees in Parliament on Wednesday (08), the Parliament of Sri Lanka said in a statement. 

MP (Dr.) Sarath Weerasekera was appointed as the Chairman of the Sectorial Oversight Committee on National Security. His name was proposed by MP Chamal Rajapaksa and was seconded by MP U. K. Sumith Udukumbura,

Meanwhile, MP Upul Mahendra Rajapaksha was appointed as the Chairman of the Sectorial Oversight Committee on Religious Affairs and Co-Existence. Parliamentarian M. Rameshwaran proposed the name of MP Upul Mahendra Rajapaksha, and it was confirmed by MP Ali Sabri Raheem.

Also, MP Ajith Mannapperuma was appointed as the Chairman of the Sectorial Oversight Committee on Environment, Natural resources & Sustainable Development. His name was proposed by MP C. B. Rathnayake and was seconded by MP Waruna Liyanage.

The composition of members in one committee is approximately 12. At the end of appointing the chairs to the Committees, the Committee members were given the opportunity to give their opinions and suggestions and a preliminary discussion was held on the future work of the said Committees.

Assistant Secretary-General (Legislative Services) of Parliament Tikiri K. Jayathilake and Director Legislative Services, H.E. Janakantha Silva, were also present at the meetings. (NewsWire)

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