Progress of all Consultative Committees tabled in Parliament

Thursday, 10 July 2014 00:42 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Opposition Leader laments only 15 ministries have submitted reports; majority of ministries negligent

By Ashwin Hemmathagama Our Lobby Correspondent A report elaborating the progress of all Consultative Committees was tabled yesterday for the first time in the history of Sri Lanka’s Parliament. This report, which will be made available for the members on a monthly basis, will show the progress of each consultative committee appointed by the Speaker.

Commending Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa for initiating a system, which will capture the progress of the consultative committees and publish the findings as a monthly report, Minister of Water Supply and Drainage and Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena said: “Turning a new chapter, you have established the right to information. The public will now be informed of consultative committee progress.” However, Leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe who agreed to the principle of Parliament control over the Government saw a few flaws. “According to this new report, only 15 ministries have submitted their reports. Five additional reports await approval. How many ministries do you have? Is it 100 or more? This report shows that a majority of the ministries are neglecting their duty to submit the reports to this House. In certain cases some committees have been operating for over 45 months,” he said. Commending the ministries which have met on a regular basis, the Opposition Leader said: “The Ministry of Economic Development led by Minister Basil Rajapaksa met 37 times. The Ministry of Coconut Development and the Ministry of Industries met 20 and 10 times respectively. What about the other important ministries? I propose the Secretary General be instructed to keep a tab on these Consultative Committees and their meetings. On par with Standing Order 109, it is important to discuss the progress of the ministries in this House.”