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Overall financial compliance during Yahaplana time showed progress – COPA

Parliamentary committee tasked with probing managerial efficiency and financial discipline of the Government – COPA (Committee on Public Accounts) says that overall financial and performance compliance average of government institutions during the Yahapalana period had a steady progress.
A report tabled in Parliament by COPA Chairman Prof Tissa Vitarana on Thursday shows that the average of overall financial and performance compliance of all institutions are 64% for the financial year 2015, 71% for the financial year 2016, 80% for the financial year 2017, 78% for the financial year 2018 and 82% for the financial year 2019.
Titled Third Report of the COPA on Financial & Performance Evaluation of the State Institutions, Provincial Councils and Local Government Authorities based on the online Management Information System, it was based on the evaluation of approximately 840 institutions.
Prof Vitarana said that though the Committee expected to submit this report for the year 2019 by 2020, it was delayed due to COVID – 19 pandemic.
The report also presents the overall financial and performance compliance average of all government institutions examined from the financial year 2015 to the financial year 2019.
The average of overall financial and performance compliance of all institutions examined from year 2015 to year 2019 are 64% for the financial year 2015, 71% for the financial year 2016, 80% for the financial year 2017, 78% for the financial year 2018 and 82% for the financial year 2019.
The percentage of the progress achieved by all the institutions in financial year 2019 considering the financial year 2015 as the base year is 28%.
When considering the percentage of the progress of each category of institutions in financial year 2019 based on the financial year 2015, the progress obtained by Government Ministries are at 11.77%.
The progress obtained by Government Departments is reported as 10.49%. Accordingly, the progress obtained by Government Special Spending Units are at 26.56%, District Secretariat 8.62%, Provincial Council Funds 14.74%, Provincial Council Ministries, Departments, Special Spending Units 21.22%, Provincial Council Statuary Authorities 58.46%, Municipal Councils 4.82%, Urban Council 16.65% and the progress obtained by Pradeshiya Sabhas 17.5%.
Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Tissa Vitarana also extended his gratitude to Lasantha Alagiyawanna, former chair of the Committee who held the Chairmanship of the Committee during the English Parliament for the innovative concept and the initiatives taken to implement this programme which has gained a wide recognition even internationally.
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INS Sahyadri sets sail from Colombo

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.
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Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district

The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
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“Census of Population and Housing 2024” Report Presented to the President

The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
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