Controversy continues to surround the appointment of the Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF), as Opposition MPs claim that the Government has violated parliamentary rules by appointing a Government MP to the position.

On Monday (20), Chief Opposition Whip and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Lakshman Kiriella accused the Government of intentionally violating the relevant Standing Order, which specifies that the COPF chairman should be a member of the Opposition. Kiriella argued that the appointment of United National Party (UNP) MP Vajira Abeywardena as Acting Chairperson was therefore invalid.

“The relevant Standing Order is being intentionally violated. How can a Government MP become the Acting Chairperson? The spirit of the section of the relevant Standing Order is that it should always be a member of the Opposition. This is an action ruining the good reputation of the Parliament. Please change this. 

“We saw in newspapers and websites, but we have not been informed that the COPF had been convened and had appointed Abeywardena as Acting Chairman. According to Standing Order 121/1, an Opposition MP should be appointed, even if it is a temporary appointment. At first, the COPF chairpersonship was not given to us but to a Government nominee. However, after that, for a brief period, it was given to us,” Kiriella stated. 

Responding to Kiriella’s claims, Abeywardena stated that he had been appointed according to the provisions of the Standing Order and the Constitution. He explained that he had been nominated and confirmed as Acting Chairman after Opposition MP Patali Champika Ranawaka had refused to take up the duties and responsibilities of the post.

“We came to know about the resignation of the Chairman through a media report. The Chairman should inform the Speaker in writing regarding the resignation. However, as it was fixed by Dissanayake, the COPF was convened. When a chairperson has not arrived or is unavailable, another MP who is a member of the COPF should take up the chair, according to which Opposition MP Patali Champika Ranawaka’s name was nominated. 

“However, he refused to take up the duties and responsibilities. Since Dissanayake resigned, my name was nominated and confirmed. According to the Constitution and the Standing Orders, the committee proceedings were concluded,” Abeywardena stated.

Thereafter, the Speaker announced in Parliament that the parliamentary Committee of Selection would meet on 4 April and appoint a chair to the COPF.

The COPF met for the first time on 23 February under the patronage of newly-appointed Chairman Mayantha Dissanayake. Dissanayake was nominated by the ruling party MPs of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).

Opposition calls for a better political culture

However, SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne, speaking to The Sunday Morning on Friday (24), rejected Abeywardena’s explanation, insisting that the Government had to appoint an MP from the Opposition in accordance with the Standing Orders. He argued that Sri Lanka must create a better political culture and criticised the Government for not supporting this.

“There is no change in the situation. The Government must appoint someone from the Opposition as per Standing Orders. As per the new culture we were trying to create when we were in office, generally the leadership of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) and Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) is also given to the Opposition, although there is no requirement to do so. Everything can’t be worked only through law – Sri Lanka must also create a better culture of political accountability. But clearly there is no appreciation of that.”

Wickramaratne also accused the Government of trying to create dissent in his party by nominating Mayantha Dissanayake’s name for the COPF chairmanship, which attempt he said had failed. He argued that if the President had wanted an Opposition that would blindly support his agenda, it was an oversight on his part.

“They just wanted to create some dissension by nominating Dissanayake’s name, but it didn’t work. After Dissanayake understood that Dr. Harsha de Silva’s name had been nominated and that it was the decision of the Leader of the Opposition, MP Dissanayake immediately withdrew his name. 

“Ranil Wickremesinghe asked for the assistance of the Opposition with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. If the President cannot prevail on basic things like the role of the Opposition in Parliament and the Opposition becoming a check and balance and if he wants an Opposition that will blindly support him, then that just won’t happen,” Wickramaratne stated.

New appointment on 4 April

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MP and COPF member Dr. Suren Raghavan said that he expected a new appointment to be made on 4 April as per the Speaker’s announcement. 

“The Speaker has already given a directive and I believe that this matter will be settled on 4 April. If there is more than one name nominated, a vote will have to be taken to decide the chair.”

The COPF is a critical parliamentary committee that oversees public spending and ensures transparency and accountability in Government finances. Its chairmanship has traditionally been given to a member of the Opposition, even though there is no legal requirement to do so.

The controversy surrounding the appointment of the chairman is therefore significant as it raises concerns about the Government’s commitment to upholding parliamentary rules and promoting transparency and accountability within the Government. It also highlights the need for Sri Lanka to create a better political culture that values the role of the Opposition in holding the Government accountable.