SJB MP Harsha De Silva named to head Public Finance Committee

Saturday, 26 September 2020 01:29 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SJB MP Harsha De Silva

SJB MP Harsha De Silva has been named to head the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday. He said De Silva’s name has been sent to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

Under Standing Orders of Parliament, the Public Finance Committee shall be made up of a Chairperson and eleven Members nominated by the Committee of Selection with the Chair being a Member of the Opposition.

De Silva said in Parliament yesterday that even though his name has been forwarded, the Government is yet to nominate members to the Committee. “My name is sent as per the Standing Orders, but the Committee is yet to be constituted,” he said.

The Speaker assured the Committee will be appointed soon.

The Committee is tasked with examining, among others, the collection of revenue under Article 148 of the Constitution, payments from the Consolidated Fund, the implementation of the Appropriation Act for the current year, public debt and debt service and (h) reports and statements under the Fiscal Management (Responsibility) Act No. 3 of 2003.