The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, today marks the creation of a landmark modern insolvency law, fully overhauling an antiquated regime. I acknowledge those who laboured on these reforms in recent years, including former Justice Ministers Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and M.U.M. Ali Sabry, and Minister Harsha Nanayakkara for initiating this process. Though the present Government steers it to enactment, the groundwork spans three to four years.

¶ 02 The Bill establishes an Independent Insolvency Regulatory Authority, introduces a new approach to personal bankruptcy, and tailored procedures for micro, small, and medium enterprises, including administrative options. I urge the Justice Minister to similarly advance long-pending, essential reforms in our criminal and civil law—too often delayed by political priorities.

¶ 03 I also raise an administrative concern: annual transfers of public officers overseen by the Ministry of Public Administration have reportedly stalled after orders were issued. Specific officers—M. Kodippiliarachchi (Additional Secretary, Provincial Councils and Local Government), S.B. Sumudu Priyadarshani (Senior Assistant Secretary), and N. Wasantha Ariyarathna (Additional Secretary – Administration)—are said to be non-compliant with transfer directives. One example: an officer, Ms. M.K.N. Lakshmi of DMT, is reportedly released but not assuming her new post, while her replacement has arrived, leaving a dysfunctional loop and wasted salaries.

¶ 04 Such failures erode professional dignity and service morale. I request that all the named officers be summoned before the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committee. We must end bad precedents—also seen in past governments—under this Government as well.