Lanka Coal Company summoned before COPE on October 6

The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) of the new Parliament will begin proceedings with effect from October 6, the parliamentary financial watchdog’s chairman, Prof. Charitha Herath said.

The first sittings of the 12-member body will spread across five days between October 6-23, he added.

The first public institution that is expected to come under the scrutiny of the newly constituted financial body will be Lanka Coal Company (Private) Limited.

Officials of the company have been summoned before COPE on October 6 on the basis of the Auditor General’s observations in a special audit report on tenders to procure coal on behalf of Norochcholai Lakvijaya coal-fired power plant since 2009.

On October 8, Lakvijaya officials will appear before COPE to discuss the Auditor General’s special report on the viability and environmental impact of the coal-fired plant.

Based on the Auditor General’s observations on feasibility studies and tender process relating to the proposed Central Expressway, officials of the Road Development Authority (RDA) and its related projects have been summoned before the parliamentary financial body on October 20.

COPE has also summoned National Water Supply & Drainage Board, Board of Investment, Central Environmental Authority and relevant local government bodies on October 21 to discuss the findings of the environmental report on the pollution of the Kelani river.

On October 23. the Coconut Development Authority, Coconut Cultivation Authority, Coconut Cultivation Board and Coconut Research Institute will face scrutiny by COPE.