Opposition Leader welcomes Harsha’s appointment as COPF Chairman

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said in Parliament yesterday that he is thankful for President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s intervention in appointing MP Dr. Harsha de Silva as the Chairman of the Public Finance Committee (COPF).

“We welcome the appointment of Dr. de Silva but we like to note that he has been appointed by violating Standing Orders. Standing Orders are violated as President Ranil Wickremesinghe had to come to Parliament to appoint him to the post,” he said. Should the Executive President come to Parliament to appoint the Chairman of the Finance Committee? Is there something like that in the Standing Orders? It is a serious problem”.

“We are not blaming the President. Thank you for correcting this action in the past. If he has to do that, then why Standing Orders? The Standing Orders did not say that the President should come to the COPE and propose that Dr. Harsha de Silva to the post. I have no objection to him doing so. Well done for doing that. But, It is the Speaker’s responsibility to follow the standing orders and protect the honor of the 225 MPs in Parliament.

MP Dr. Harsha De Silva said that he would like to express his thanks to President Ranil Wickramasinghe and the Opposition including the Leader of the Opposition for appointing him as the Chairman of the COPE.

Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella said the whole affair is an indication that the Opposition will have to go to the President to get things done. “The Speaker has given the impression that we have to now go to the President to get things done,” he said.