Appointment of MP Harsha de Silva as COPF Chairman Some members of Selection Committee defy President’s decision

• Selection Committee members seek a further meeting with President

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana 

Whilst President Ranil Wickremesinghe had agreed to appoint  SJB MP Harsha de Silva as the Chairman of Public Finance Committee (COPF) the  members of the Selection Committee had sought a meeting with the  President for a further discussion on reservations they have with regard  to the appointment, Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga told  Parliament yesterday.   

“Members of the Selection Committee had sought a further  meeting with President Wickremesinghe as they have some reservations on  the appointment of Dr. de Silva,” Minister Ranatunga said in response to  a question raised by Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa.  

“We will settle the matter after the discussion with the President,” he added.  

“President belongs to a certain party but the government is run according to a different scenario,” he also said.  

Mr. Premadasa earlier questioned as to why the appointment  of Dr. de Silva was delayed despite the agreement on the part of the President.  “President had a discussion with MPs Kabir Hashim and Dr . de Silva and  he agreed to appoint the latter as the chairperson of Finance Committee.  This is intellectual jealousy,” he said.  

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana who responded said both  the ruling party and the opposition should have a dialogue and settle  the matter as soon as possible.