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Opp. alleges Speaker disrupts CoPF ahead of vote on CBSL Bill

Published

3 years ago

2023/05/9

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The Opposition yesterday (08) lambasted Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena for what it called a move to disrupt the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) ahead of the vote on a Bill titled ‘Central Bank of Sri Lanka.’

Top spokespersons for the Nidahas Janatha Sabhawa (NJS) Prof. G.L. Peiris, MP, and the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Harsha de Silva frowned on the indefinite postponement of the appointment of the Chairman of the watchdog committee.

Addressing the media, at the NJS Office, at Nawala, Prof. Peiris flayed the government over the proposal to set up a so-called ‘Independent Budget Office’ for greater scrutiny on public finance, whereas the time-tested apparatus was disrupted. The former External Affairs Minister, and retired top law academic, alleged that the government was hell-bent on disrupting the CoPF. The Opposition raised the issue as knowledgeable people questioned the need for such a set manned by two persons expected to be given wide powers.

The rebel SLPP National List MP said that the denial of the Chairmanship of the CoPF to the Opposition was a serious violation of the Standing Orders of Parliament. The former Minister emphasized that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government wanted to cripple the vital all-party body.

Dr. de Silva declared that the SLPP Speaker postponed the scheduled selection committee meeting to appoint the Chairman of CoPF in spite of it being the only watchdog committee chaired by the Opposition. Responding to The Island queries, the economist said that though the second reading of the Bill, titled ‘Central Bank of Sri Lanka,’ was to take place, CoPF couldn’t peruse it yet, the one-time UNP State Minister said.

The SJB lawmaker warned that yet another pro-tem Chairman would be appointed today (09) to ensure approval for the relevant Bill, ahead of the second reading and vote on May 11.

Alleging that this was an extremely serious violation of Standing Orders, particularly against the backdrop of the sensitive nature of the Bill concerned and economic ruination, Dr. de Silva emphasized that CoPF was the only committee that looks into the future whereas the Committee on Public Accounts (CoPA) and Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) examine past audits.

Both Prof. Peiris and Dr. de Silva alleged that the government disrupted the CoPF at the very beginning of the latest session. Dr. de Silva represented the SJB in the third session of the 9th Parliament though the election of new Chairman following the prorogation with effect from January 27, 2023.

Trouble erupted when the SLPP nominated SJB lawmaker Mayantha Dissanayake as Chairman of CoPF in the fourth week of February, 2023, in spite of the Opposition re-nominating Dr. de Silva. Two days later, National List MP Dissanayake resigned. However, the ruling party nominated the sole UNP National List MP in Parliament, Vajira Abeywardena, as the Acting Chairman, regardless of the Opposition demand that de Silva received the CoPF leadership.

Prof. Peiris said that since then the government prevented the finalization of the appointment though the administration assured the International Monetary Fund (IMF) tangible measures would be taken against waste, corruption, irregularities and mismanagement.

Dr. de Silva alleged that Speaker Abeywardena was pursuing a political agenda at the expense of his duty to ensure the responsibility on the part of Parliament regarding public finance.

Prof. Peiris said that the entire gamut of issues would be taken up with the IMF delegation, expected to visit Colombo in about two weeks. The ex-Minister insisted that the disruption of CoPF couldn’t be justified, under any circumstances.

At the onset of the briefing, Prof. Peiris said that the government was yet to address the issues at hand with an open mind. Instead, the government sought to muddy the waters by calling a vote on the IMF bailout package, the former minister said, declaring that there was no requirement for a vote.

Sri Lanka obtained IMF bailout packages on 16 previous occasions. Prof. Peiris stressed that in spite of Parliament approving the agreement with the IMF (120 voting for and 25 against), a future government would definitely seek to renegotiate it. The ex-minister repeated concerns over the restructuring of domestic debt and its impact on the EPF (Employees’ Provident Fund). According to him, the Opposition was contemplating the possibility of taking legal action to prevent the government from laying its hands on EPF funds.

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Related Topics:CBSL Bill Dr Harsha De Silva Featured G L Peiris

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PM on inspection tour of newly renovated Colombo Central Bus Stand

Published

6 hours ago

2026/04/10

Priyan

The Colombo Central Bus Stand, which has a history of over six decades and had remained without a proper maintenance for many years, has now been renovated under the current government’s development programme and vested to the public. Following that, the Prime Minister undertook an inspection tour of the newly renovated Colombo Central Bus Stand.

Originally constructed in 1964, the bus stand was refurbished with modern facilities to meet current needs and was officially reopened to the public on April 8. The primary objective of this initiative is to provide passengers with a higher-quality and more comfortable transportation service.

During the renovation process, special attention has been given to the comfort and safety of women, which was commended by the Prime Minister. In particular, a modern rest area designed to ensure privacy for nursing mothers travelling from distant areas received special praise.

The Prime Minister also reviewed the newly introduced passenger seat reservation system and information services established to assist commuters. In addition, the modern surveillance unit and other security measures installed within the premises to ensure passenger safety were also inspected.

During the visit, the Prime Minister engaged in conversations with passengers at the bus stand and inquired about their views on the newly renovated facilities and the quality of transport services.

It was emphasized that the government’s objective is to transform public transportation into a safe, technologically advanced service that can be used with convenience by all citizens.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

Latest News

Sun directly overhead Nagawilluwa, Galgamuwa, Sigiriya, Palugasdamana and Mankerni about 12:11 noon today (10)

Published

6 hours ago

2026/04/10

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from the 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (10th) are Nagawilluwa, Galgamuwa, Sigiriya, Palugasdamana and Mankerni about 12:11 noon.

News

Opposition tells Minister Kumara Jayakody to resign

Published

8 hours ago

2026/04/10

Thilina Walpola

Prof. Peiris

No-faith motion to be taken up today

Former Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (9) said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake should remove Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody unless the minister stepped down on his own.Prof. Peiris, addressing a press conference called by the Opposition, said that Jayakody couldn’t under any circumstance continue to serve as a minister after the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) moved the Colombo High Court against the government member over a previous financial scandal.

Pointing out that Minister Jayakody had been indicted of a corrupt deal struck during the yahapalana regime, Prof. Peiris said it was wrong for the NPP to retain him as a minister, claiming that the offence was not committed during his tenure as a Cabinet minister in the current government.

Prof. Peiris and several other Opposition members dealt with the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against Jayakody that would be taken up today (10) with the academic calling the vote an acid test for the NPP. Having campaigned on an anti-corruption platform at presidential and parliamentary polls, the NPP couldn’t protect Jayakody though he was widely believed to be close to President Dissanayake.

As the Manager of the Procurement and Import Division of the Ceylon Fertilizer Company, Jayakody is alleged to have committed the offence of corruption, according to CIABOC.

Jayakody has been accused of causing a loss of Rs. 8,859,708 to the State by influencing and exploiting the procurement process.

Following the serving of indictments on 27 March, the judge ordered Jayakody’s release on two personal bail bonds of Rs. 1 million each. The court directed that the defendant’s fingerprints be obtained and a formal report be submitted. The case has been scheduled for a pre-trial conference on 6 May.

Prof. Peiris stressed that the CIABOC action against Jayakody is central to the NCM primarily moved over the irregularities ridden coal procurement process launched in 2025 that caused severe disruption to the power generation. Responding to The Island query after the media briefing, Prof Peiris expressed surprise that the JVP/NPP accommodated a person under investigation by the CIABOC. Having taken an utterly irresponsible decision, the JVP/NPP were now playing down the developing issue, prof. Peiris said.

The entire government parliamentary group faced the prospect of having its image tarnished by defending Jayakody, the former lawmaker said.

Prof. Peiris said that they intended to build a campaign around the issues involving the energy minister to expose the government. With yet another electricity tariff hike in the offing due to the growing demand for thermal generation as a result of coal-fired Lakvijaya power plant’s failure to meet the requirement[RA1] , the energy minister and ministry’s performances have to be examined, Prof. Peiris said.The timely release of the Auditor General’s report on controversial coal procurement should compel the government to decide on the energy minister’s fate or be prepared to face the fallout.

By Shamindra Ferdinando