• Since no death threat has been made, investigation halted: Police
• Attanayake blames Govt. for obstructing duties of COPF chair
• SJB MP de Silva says ‘no comment’ on making a statement to CID this week

While an investigation launched following reported threats levelled against Chairperson of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF), Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva, ended abruptly yesterday (9), the SJB National Organiser Tissa Attanayake, stressed that there are broader implications from the intimidation faced by the opposition lawmaker. Attanayake called for the safety of Dr. de Silva, urging Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to take decisive action regarding the matter.

Adding another layer of tension to the ongoing controversy surrounding the VFS visa incident, the COPF Chairperson alleged last week in Parliament that he faced pressure to halt inquiries into the said deal, as outlined by Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa during a session in Parliament. Subsequently, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles has reportedly directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon to conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged threats.

Against this backdrop, speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (9), MP Attanayake, underscored the significance of preserving the independence of the legislative body, stating, “It is not a threat against Dr. de Silva but against the independence of the entire legislature.”

Attanayake also blamed Government MPs, alleging their involvement in obstructing the duties of the COPF Chairperson. He called upon the Speaker to intervene and ensure the security of the COPF Chairperson, emphasising the collective responsibility of Parliament to uphold the integrity of its committees. “The entire Parliament must stand up against any party that tries to undermine the independence of committees,” Attanayake stressed.

According to the Police Media Division, Dr. de Silva has been asked to make a statement with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). However, last evening (9), the Police Media Division (PMD) issuing a statement ( 971/2024) stated that the CID has infomed the Speaker that since no death threats had been made against MP Harsha de Silva, the investigation into the matter will be halted, and that the process can be revisited in the future, to inform the CID to do so. 

When contacted regarding if he will make a statement to the CID this week, MP Harsha de Silva told The Daily Morning  that he does not wish to comment on the matter. 

Several attempts made to contact Speakers Abeywardena, Dr. de Silva, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Viyani Gunathilaka regarding the allegations and the Government’s response to it, proved futile.