2026-02-17 / Papers Tabled 2026-02-17
Hon. Hector Appuhamy presented three reports from the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Resources, covering annual and performance reports of multiple government bodies including the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation, Department of Agrarian Development, and Janatha Estates Development Board, spanning various years from 2015 to 2024. The reports were ordered to lie upon the Table. The speaker additionally raised a procedural concern regarding unresolved issues identified in older audit reports reviewed by the Committee, and requested that the Chair permit Sectoral Oversight Committees to engage directly with the Auditor General's Department on such matters. The intent of this proposal is to enable Committees to take a more active corrective role in guiding institutions toward compliance, rather than simply tabling reports without follow-up action.
Hon. Speaker, I present the reports of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Resources, relating to:
Report 1:
- Annual Report of the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation for the year 2019;
- Annual Report of the National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka for the year 2023;
- Annual Reports of the Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation for the years 2022 and 2023;
- Performance Report of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for the year 2024; and
- Annual Report of the Seemasahitha Senior Foundation for the year 2020.
Report 2:
- Performance Reports of the Department of Agrarian Development for the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023;
- Annual Performance Report of the Department of Animal Production and Health for the year 2024; and
- Annual Reports of the Sri Lanka National Canning Corporation (National Food Promotion Board) for the years 2018 and 2021.
Report 3:
- Annual Reports of the Janatha Estates Development Board for the years 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Ordered to lie upon the Table.
Hon. Speaker, a brief clarification. When reviewing and granting approval to these reports, we encountered issues arising from older audit reports, some of which remain unresolved. Rather than merely approving and laying these reports, it would be valuable if our Committee could have discussions with the Auditor General’s Department on such matters as they arise, so that, through these Committees, we can help steer institutions onto the correct path. I respectfully request that the Chair allow this.