PM defends decision to direct COPE report on bond issue to AG

The Prime Minister’s office has defended the decision taken to direct the COPE report on the bond issue to the Attorney General (AG) after COPE Chairman Sunil Handunnetti had written to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya questioning the move.



Handunnetti says the Prime Minister directing the COPE report on the bond issue to the Attorney General is similar to one taking over the Speaker’s responsibilities.

The COPE Chairman also called for a debate on the COPE report on the bond issue when Parliament convenes in 2017.

The Prime Minister’s office says Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had accepted the COPE report and asked the AG to study the report and recommend appropriate action.

The Prime Minister’s office says seeking the advice of the AG is normal procedure. The Prime Minister’s office also said that Wickremesinghe had agreed to a debate on the report in Parliament. (Colombo Gazette)