Opposition objects appointment of Aloysius-friendly MPs to COPE

• JVP says appointments immoral
• Joint Opposition calls for immediate change

 By Skandha Gunasekara

The Opposition yesterday objected the appointment of MPs who had spoken with Head of Perpetual Treasuries Arjun Aloysius to the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE).

Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara said that it was unethical to reappoint MPs who had had phone conversations with during the COPE investigation into the Central Bank bond scam.

Thereafter, Joint Opposition MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage called on the Speaker to restructure the COPE.

“The members who have had dealings with Aloysius should not be appointed to a Parliamentary watchdog committee such as COPE,” Aluthgamage said.

JO MP Bandula Gunawardana pointed out that the tradition of appointing new members to the committee had been overlooked.

“It has been the tradition in Parliament that new members are appointed to Parliamentary Committee following a dissolving or prorogation of Parliament. However, this has not been followed, and the same Committee members from the previous Parliament have been reappointed,” he said.

Meanwhile, MP Gamini Lokuge requested the Speaker to allow MPs from the constituent parties of the JO be appointed to Parliamentary Committees.

“The different parties within the Joint Opposition, such as the National Freedom Front of Wimal Weerawansa, should be allowed to be represented in these committees,” MP Lokuge urged.

However, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said that the appointment of these MPs had been approved by the Party Leaders.

“This issue was brought up during the Party leaders’ meeting, but the Government pointed out that whatever allegations that these MPs have, they have not been proven guilty in a court of law; similar to other MPs in this Parliament who have various allegations against them,” Speaker Jayasuriya asserted.