State Auditors pushing for COPE Chief’s removal

Sri Lanka Audit Service Association has urged Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to replace Prof. Ranjith Bandara, Chairman of the parliamentary watchdog Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) with a lawmakert who commands the respect of the Parliament.

In a letter signed by E.A.D. Prasad Prasanna and R.M.P. A. Janaka, President and Secretary of the Association, respectively, the Speaker has been told that the Parliament could not meet its mandatatory obligations in respect of public finance due to the unacceptable conduct of the COPE Chairman.

The Association has taken up the case in the wake of the Opposition launching an all out attack on Prof. Bandara over his alleged relationship with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Prof. Bandara received the appointment in Sept. last year.

Referring to complaints that had been received from MPs, including some members of the watchdog committee and other interested parties as well as those who represented the association at COPE proceedings, the letter pointed out the following (1) Matters that should receive priority and immediate attention quite conviniently neglected (2) delayed caused deliberately to hinder and undermine investigations (3) supporting those under investigation and (4) ending the practice of having prior consultations with the Auditor General and other members of the watchdog ahead of the scheduled meetings, thereby undermining the whole process.The association said that the copies of the letter were sent to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, members of parliament and Auditor General W.P.C. Wickremaratne (SF)