CoPE to call four key State institutions next week

• SriLankan, Lanka Sathosa, NWSDB and CEB to be called before CoPE
• First time CoPE proceedings will be opened to media 
• CoPE Chairman optimistic transparency will result in more accountability of public sector

Committee on Public Enterprises (CoPE) has scheduled to investigate SriLankan Airlines, Lanka Sathosa, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, and the Ceylon Electricity Board during the next sitting week of Parliament commencing on 20 August. CoPE Chairman Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna MP Sunil Handunnetti told the Daily FT that opening the sessions to media will enable the public to be updated with the details of proceedings accurately, in order to widen transparency of the public sector.

On 9 August, CoPE opened its doors to the public through media to witness the proceedings for the first time in the history of the Sri Lankan Parliament. 

Established in 1979, the CoPE is one of the key finance committees in the Parliament empowered to examine the accounts of the public establishments and of any business undertaking vested in the Government, to ensure the observance of financial discipline in public corporations and other Semi-Governmental bodies in which the Government has a financial stake. 

CoPE has the power to summon before them and question any person, call for and examine any paper, book, record or other documents and to have access to stores and property. (AH)