News
Opposition Leader’s Office seeks clarification on constitutionality of COPE, COPA meetings
View(s):By Ranjith Padmasiri
The Office of the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament has requested the Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadheera to clarify whether it is constitutional for the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) to hold meetings when the post of Auditor General is vacant.
The Opposition Leader’s Office in Parliament has sought the clarification after COPA Chairman Kabir Hashim informed it about having concerns about the presence of the representative from the Auditor General’s Department at the recent COPA meeting given that the post of the Auditor General is vacant.
Ms. Rohanadheera has forwarded the letter requesting clarification to Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, who has informed that he will study the matter and send a reply by tomorrow (5). Sources said the Speaker may seek advice about the issue from the Attorney General should the need arise.
When contacted, COPE Chairman Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera told the Sunday Times that activities at the Auditor General’s Department continues as usual even though the Auditor General’s post remains vacant.
Dr. Samaraweera though, said, COPE has not scheduled any meetings this month as it intends to conduct a series of awareness programmes at district level for public officials from the 445 public institutions that come under the committee’s oversight.
COPA Chairman Kabir Hashim meanwhile, said it is better to clarify the constitutionality of the matter given that a representative of the Auditor General is present at his committee’s meetings.
The Sunday Times learns that issues have arisen at the Auditor General’s Department in certain matters, such as when forwarding information to institutions and calling for reports, because the Auditor General’s post remains vacant and no one has been appointed in an acting capacity. This is because other senior officials at the Auditor General’s Department are not legally empowered to sign documents on behalf of the Auditor General.
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