Harsha blasts Cabraal for ignoring P’ment summons

Friday, 25 March 2022 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva

CBSL Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal

SJB MP Harsha de Silva yesterday lambasted Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, members of

the Monetary Board and senior Finance Ministry officials for ignoring summons from the Public Finance Committee of Parliament.

Cabraal and the other officials had been summoned to the Committee on Monday but had sought till Thursday. However yesterday they had been informed by a facsimile message that they were unable to attend, said De Silva who is a member of the Committee.

“Parliament has been vested with powers to control finances under article 148 of the Constitution. Therefore, declining to come to Parliament and answering queries on public finance is a violation of the Constitution. Even the Minister of Finance has declined to make a statement on the financial situation of the country. They should not be allowed to insult the House anymore,” Dr. De Silva told the Parliament.

The MP requested the Deputy Speaker Ranjith Siyambalapitiya who was at the chair to take immediate action against the Central Bank Governor. “You will never be able to resolve the financial crisis if the Central Bank and the Finance Minister act the way they do at the moment.”

CBSL says banking system sound after Harsha’s claims of default in Parliament