5 October 2022 12:00 am Views - 78
By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana
The appointment of members to the Committee on Public Enterprises ( COPE) and Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) ran into storm yesterday with the Opposition Leader calling for the appointment of MP Charitha Herath to be appointed as Chairman of the COPE.
Mr. Premadasa who announced the resignation of MP Harsha de Silva from COPE, nominated Charitha Herath to the committee. “ We also nominate Dr. Herath as the Chairman of COPE,” he said.
MP Dayasiri Jayasekera raised the question as to why the MPs who have crossed over to the opposition from the government are left out of the two committees. “Educated and able persons such as Professor Tissa Vitharana, Sudarshani Fernandopulle are left out of COPA. We have noted that most of the MPs who have been appointed to the two committees are those who defend the thieves,” he said. MP Wimal Weerawansa said a certain person who is referred to as “Mola Hatha” (man with seven brains) is the one who had selected MPs for COPE and COPA. “All what Mola Hatha does is select MPs for COPE and COPA from the USA,” he said. “This person wants MP Ranjith Bandara to be appointed the Chairman of COPE and has decided on the composition of COPE so that Professor Bandara is elected chairman,” he said. Professor Bandara who responded said that senior MPs should speak in a more responsible manner. “ I am not anyone’s puppet,” he said. MP Dallas Alahapperuma said it is a shame that MPs from independent groups are left out. “It is a shame that those MPs who have left the government have been left out of COPE and COPA. These MPs are also prevented from speaking in Parliament. Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga said the matter should be discussed and resolved by the party leaders.