News
COPF Chief wants Undial and Hawala regulated urgently
Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, and Colombo District SJB MP, Dr. Harsha de Silva, told Parliament that the Undial and Hawala systems were not illegal in Sri Lanka and demanded the government to take immediate action for proper regulation.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday (08), Dr. de Silva proposed that individuals conducting international transactions through those informal money transfer systems be required to register within a 12-month period, from June 2024 to May 2025.
“These systems are not illegal in our country, but they operate without any regulation,” he stated, highlighting the potential risks posed by their unregulated nature.
He informed Parliament that the Committee on Public Finance had requested the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to conduct a comprehensive review of the Undial and Hawala systems and submit a detailed report.
“The proposal to regulate these systems has been approved by the Committee and presented to Parliament for further consideration,” Dr. de Silva added.
The Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya presented the Bill entitled “Appropriation”to the Parliament today (Jan. 9th), to provide for the service of the financial year 2025.
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Members of Parliament Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena and Shanakiyan Rasamanickam elected as Co-Chairs of the Parliamentary Caucus for Open Parliament Initiative
The inaugural meeting of the Parliamentary Caucus for Open Parliament Initiative which was reinstated for the 10th parliament took place on Wednesday (Jan. 08) at the Parliament premises and Minister. Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena and Member of Parliament Shanakiyan Rasamanickam were elected as Co-Chairs of this caucus.
The name of Minister Prof. Krishantha Abeysena as Co-Chair of the caucus was proposed by Member of Parliament Dr. Janaka Senarathna and seconded by Member of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Bhagya Sri Herath. The name of Member of Parliament Shanakiyan Rasamanickam was proposed by the Leader of the Opposition Hon. Sajith Premadasa and seconded by Member of Parliament Hon. Nalin Bandara.
Also, Member of Parliament Jagath Manuwarna was elected as the convener of this caucus and Members of Parliament Attorney-at-Law. Chamindrani Kiriella, Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, S. M. Marikkar and Attorney-at-Law Thushari Jayasinghe were elected as Co-Deputy Chairs.
Addressing this caucus, the new Co-Chairs mentioned that they are looking forward to doing all the work that can be done through this caucus in order to bring the Parliament closer to the people and expecting full support from all.
The Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard seized an Indian fishing boat which was poaching in Sri Lankan waters and apprehended 10 Indian fishermen, during a special operation conducted off the
Kovilan Lighthouse, Jaffna in the dark hours of 08th January 2025.
The Navy and Coast Guard continue to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing boats, taking into account the impact of those practices on the livelihood of local fishermen.
The seized fishing boat together with the ten Indian fishermen were brought to the Kankesanthurai harbour and they will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for onward legal proceedings.
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