Former Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal and incumbent United National Party (UNP) Government Parliamentarian Wajira Abeywardana have been summoned before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) appointed to look into the causes of economic bankruptcy in the country today (15).
In July 2023, Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana appointed the said PSC to look into the causes of economic bankruptcy in the country and to make appropriate suggestions and recommendations.
Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (14), the PSC’s Chairman and Government MP attorney Sagara Kariyawasam said that they had summoned Cabraal and Abeywardana to testify today, adding that many other witnesses would be summoned to testify in the future.
Explaining the basis on which the duo have been summoned, he said: “Cabraal was the CBSL Governor at the time during which the economy is said to have gone bankrupt, and it is therefore very important to get him to make the relevant explanations. In addition, Abeywardana has been emphasising that taking the country towards bankruptcy is illegal. So, we wish to get him to clarify the basis of his opinion.”
Speaking further, he said that although Opposition MPs appointed as PSC members do not attend its sessions, they (Opposition MPs) could ask any question from Cabraal and any other witness if they chose to attend it. “All that everyone, be they from the Government or the Opposition, needs to know is how the country went bankrupt, and who should be held responsible for it. If the Opposition genuinely needs to contribute to it, they could attend the PSC and get the witnesses to clarify these matters.”
Sri Lanka has been facing its worst economic crisis in recent history. The crisis was so serious that the repayment of loans taken from foreign countries was suspended. Against this backdrop, several parties, including Opposition parliamentary groups, have been insisting on the need to bring those responsible for the economic crisis before law enforcement agencies through a transparent and impartial inquiry.