COPE tables third report on SOEs in Parliament 

The third report of the Committee on Public Enterprise (COPE) was presented in Parliament yesterday, by Committee Chairman MP Charitha Herath.

The report includes evaluations of a few State bodies including the Football Federation of Sri Lanka, SriLankan Airlines, Sri Lanka Insurance and the Sri Lanka Transport Board. The report assesses the financial status of these State-run enterprises and its impact on the Government and the economy.

Parliamentarian Charitha Herath said they discussed the financial focus and business plan of national carrier — SriLankan Airlines and included it within the report.

“We appointed three committees to look into SriLankan Airlines and recommend the Parliament to seriously consider the sustainability of the flag carrier,” he pointed out.

COPE Chairman also called on the Parliament to intervene and consider the adverse impact SriLankan Airlines has on the economy, as a State enterprise.

Opposition MP Lakshman Kiriella called on the Speaker to take action on the reports submitted by both COPE and COPA.

“For 30 years we have been just debating on the reports submitted by these committees and disregard further steps thereafter. Thus, I urge the Speaker not to limit these recommendations just for debate, but to take necessary action against the financial misappropriation with recommendations from the Attorney General’s Department,” he added.

Leader of the House and Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said the standing order amendments to increase powers of COPE, the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) and the Committee on Public Petitions (COPP) will be presented at the next Parliamentary session.

Minister Gunawardena said the standing order amendments to increase powers of State committees will be strengthened, in a way that charges can be filed with the Attorney General.

In reply to a question by MP Jayantha Samaraweera, Leader of the House and Minister Gunawardena said Committee Chairmen will be appointed by members of the respective Committee, unless the Speaker is the Chairman.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also said that the Committee recommendations are being vetted by former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya who is working on forming new Parliament committees.