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Ex-COPE chief calls for punitive surcharge

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Prof. Chaitha Herath expressing serious concerns about some state enterprises trying to manipulate government procedures at the expense of public sector financial discipline.

Litro legal wrangle:

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Former Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Prof. Charitha Herath has said the government is duty bound to prevent questionable actions of those who are at the helm of public sector enterprises.

The MP has suggested that those responsible for such actions be made to compensate the relevant enterprise for losses they cause.

Addressing the members of the Sri Lanka Audit Services Association at its 63rd AGM held at the Waters Edge, Battaramulla, early this week, Prof. Herath revealed that the state-owned Litro Gas had resorted to legal action at a cost of approximately Rs 20 mn in a bid to prevent the Auditor General’s scrutiny of its transactions.

Prof. Herath said that Litro shouldn’t be allowed to avoid government supervision under any circumstances.

If necessary laws had been available, a surcharge could have been imposed on those responsible, Prof. Herath said.

Pointing out that the Litro management had moved the Supreme Court in a bid to block the Auditor General, Prof. Herath said 99 percent of the shares of Litro were held by the State-owned Sri Lanka Insurance Company (SLIC).

During the first session of the 9th Parliament, the COPE inquired into the circumstances under which Litro had avoided the State auditing process for nearly two years.

Prof. Herath said: “We were finally able to defeat their attempt. Auditing resumed after the change at the top.”

In July last year, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa brought in Theshara Jayasinghe as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Litro. The Viyathmaga activist succeeded Anil Koswatte. Subsequent to the change at the top, a comprehensive audit that had been undertaken on the instructions of Auditor General WPC Wickremaratne recently revealed the amounts categorised as legal fees. Among those whose services had been obtained were Romesh de Silva, PC and Sanjeeva Jayawardena, PC, Chairman of the Monetary Board Risk Oversight Committee, in addition to being the Chairman of the Ethics Committee of the Central Bank.

MP Herath alleged that a despicable attempt had been made to make use of a line or two in the Constitution to deprive the AG of the right to audit the profit-making enterprise.

Prof. Herath asked whether some heads of public enterprises acted outside the purview of the top political authority. MP Herath called for legal provision for recovering losses due to questionable decisions taken by those at the helm of such enterprises.

The UNP-led yahapalana government rejected government auditors’ plea for provision in the National Audit Bill (NAB) to recover losses caused by questionable actions. The Parliament endorsed the NAB in early July 2018 after the removal of proposed provisions as regards surcharge.

Prof. Herath paid a glowing tribute to government auditors for accepting the challenge as well as the difficult task of maintaining financial discipline regardless of threats. The former COPE Chief acknowledged that the auditors faced intimidations, pressure as well as threats from decision makers at the highest levels of the government as well as those involved in corruption.

The National List MP pointed out that as the audit service hadn’t been accommodated within any ministry, governments tend to ignore the difficulties experienced by them. The MP stressed that the auditors served the State and not any particular government formed by a political party or an alliance.

MP Herath explained how institutions that had been independent were gradually brought under ministries over the years leaving the Parliament and the Auditor General as the only ones outside the purview of ministers. According to the former COPE Chief Litro wasn’t the only enterprise that had declared that the parliamentary watchdog committee as well as the Auditor General did not have any authority to scrutinise their transactions.



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Government focuses on developing a unique Food Security Index for Sri Lanka

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The government is currently prioritizing the development of a country-specific Food Security Index, with the goal of completing the initiative within the next three months.

This tailored index is expected to better reflect Sri Lanka’s unique food security landscape, addressing the limitations of global indices such as the Global Food Security Index (GFSI), which have been criticized for failing to capture the nuances of the local context. Policymakers have also noted that existing data is often insufficient or imprecise, making it challenging to develop effective strategies.

The proposed index aims to identify key national priorities and guide food security policy over the next five years.

As a first step in this effort, a workshop titled “Identifying a Suitable Food Security Index for Sri Lanka and Formulating a Strategic Plan” was held on  Tuesday (17) at the Colombo City Center. Organized by the Food Security Expert Committee in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), the event brought together experts and stakeholders from across the sector.

Delivering the opening remarks, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Gunaratne emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating that the development of a precise, country-specific index is a vital step toward ensuring both economic stability and national food security. The workshop focused on the four key dimensions of food security; availability, accessibility, utilization and stability and explored how these can be incorporated into a comprehensive and practical national index.

Participants included members of the Food Security Expert Committee, such as Senior Professors Buddhi Marambe and Jeevika Weerahewa, along with representatives from various government agencies, academic institutions, the FAO, the WFP and the private sector.

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Opp. MPs stage walkout over Speaker’s bias against them

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Govt. blames them for misbehaviour in Parliament

MPs of the SJB and some other Opposition parties staged a walkout in Parliament yesterday, protesting against the Speaker’s refusal to allow them to discuss the escalating Israel-Iran conflict and its potential impact on Sri Lanka.

The walkout was followed by a special meeting of Opposition leaders, held at the Parliament complex, chaired by Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa. Among those present were MPs Dilith Jayaweera, Namal Rajapaksa, and Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna.

Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilleka said that the protest was against the Speaker’s refusal to allocate time for an urgent debate on the Middle East conflict, which Opposition MPs argued poses serious risks to Lankan nationals and businesses, particularly about 10,000–20,000 Lankans currently working in Israel.

Premadasa accused Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne of silencing the Opposition, stating that he had been denied the opportunity to raise a matter of national importance. “We no longer approve of your conduct in this House,” he said, warning that continued disregard for parliamentary procedure would lead to more protests.

Premadasa emphasised the need for immediate government action to ensure the safety of Sri Lankans in the war-torn region and to mitigate economic fallout from the conflict, which, he warned, could escalate into a broader war with possible nuclear implications.

Health and Mass Media Minister and Chief Government Whip Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa assured Parliament that the government would address the issue during an adjournment debate later in the day and that a statement from the Foreign Ministry would follow.

Kurunegala District MP Dayasiri Jayasekara criticised the Speaker for suppressing Opposition voices, adding that the decision to boycott the remainder of the day’s sessions was a direct result of repeated restrictions.

Leader of the House, Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake rejected the allegations, placing blame on the Opposition for ‘unacceptable conduct within the chamber’.

ITAK Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam opted to remain in Parliament and participate in the debate, though he, too, condemned the government’s repeated efforts to curtail the Opposition’s right to speak.

By Saman Indrajith

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Senior SLAS officer succeeds Bogollagama as SL’s UK HC

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Newly appointed HC to the UK Nimal Senadheera signing the visitor's book at the London Buddhist Viharaya

Nimal Senadheera officially assumed duties as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom on Monday, 16 June, at the Sri Lanka High Commission in London. The occasion was marked by a traditional and dignified ceremony.

Senadheera succeeded Rohitha Bogollagama who took over the mission in Nov 2023 during Ranil Wickremesinghe tenure as the President.

Senadheera was warmly welcomed by officials and staff of the Mission. In his address, he highlighted the Government’s vision to strengthen the Mission’s role in advancing Sri Lanka’s interests abroad, reflecting the aspirations of the people and the mandate entrusted to the current administration. He called on all staff members to work collaboratively in further enhancing Sri Lanka–UK relations.

The formal assumption of duties included the traditional lighting of the oil lamp, followed by the serving of milk rice and sweetmeats, in keeping with Sri Lankan customs.

Senadheera is a senior officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS) with over two decades of experience in public administration, diplomacy, and education. He has previously served at the Sri Lanka High Commission in Pretoria and held senior positions in the Central Provincial Council and the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration.

He holds an MSc in Public Policy from the University of Strathclyde (UK), a Master of Public Administration from Flinders University (Australia), and a Master of Arts in Linguistics from the University of Kelaniya (Sri Lanka). He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Peradeniya, specialising in English, Economics, and Sociology.

Senadheera and his wife arrived in London over the weekend. Upon arrival, they were received by Gordon Wetherell CMG, Special Representative of the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.

Later in the evening, the High Commissioner, accompanied by his wife and staff, visited the London Buddhist Viharaya to invoke blessings as he begins his new diplomatic assignment.

Sujeeva Nivunhella reporting from London

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