EX-COPE Chief warns against expanding committee's powers

Former Chairperson of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), Dr. Charitha Herath, has raised strong objections to a proposal to expand the Committee's powers, warning that it could upset the country's constitutional balance and undermine public administration.

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In a statement issued yesterday, Dr. Herath said he was "seriously concerned" about the motion presented to Parliament under Standing Order 137 by current COPE Chairman Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera (NPP) seeking to amend Standing Order 120. The proposed amendment would allow COPE to refer its findings directly to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), or the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

Full text of the statement: "As the former Chairperson of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), I wish to express my serious concern about the recent proposal submitted to Parliament under Standing Order 137 by the current COPE Chair, Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera (MP – NPP), to amend Standing Order 120.