COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Opposition alleges that MP Vajira Abeywardena had been appointed as the Acting Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance during Thursday’s (2) COPF meeting, and that eight gazettes have been approved at the meeting.
MPs Harshana Rajakaruna, and Chandima Weerakkody had opposed this move and walked out of the meeting.
There was controversy surrounding the post of Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, as MP Mayantha Dissanayake was appointed as Chair based on a proposal by the ruling faction, while the opposition had already proposed the name of Dr. Harsha De Silva for the post.
Thereafter, MP Dissanayake resigned from the post, and the opposition once against proposed for Dr. Harsha De Silva to be appointed to the post.
The Committee on Public Finance had met on Thursday (3), and UNP Chairman & MP Vajira Abeywardena had been appointed as the Acting Chairman.
MP Chandima Weerakkody, COPF Member & Former Deputy Speaker, said “An acting Chairman is appointed by the member of the Committee on Public Finance when the Chairman is on holiday or is not present. But, such action cannot be taken when the position is vacant.”
“As usual, the officials produced bills that will be presented to Parliament during the next session. However, MP Vajira Abeywardena violated the standing orders and approved all the bills without any study,” he alleged.
Dr. Harsha De Silva tweeted that the activities of the Committee of Public Finance were in violation of the Standing Order.
He said that the post of Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance must be held by a member of the opposition.
