Sunday Nov 16, 2025
Sunday Nov 16, 2025
Saturday, 27 September 2025 01:32 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
In a significant step toward tightening accountability in the public sector, a motion was presented to the Parliament to amend the Standing Orders to allow direct legal action against serious financial fraud or corruption uncovered by the Committee on Public Enterprises (CoPE).
The motion was presented by COPE Chair MP Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera, under Standing Order 137, seeking to amend the existing Standing Order 120(4) governing the Committee’s powers.
Under the proposed amendment, if CoPE concludes during its examination of Auditor General’s reports that grave financial malpractice or corruption has occurred, the Committee will be empowered to directly refer such cases to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) or the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for immediate legal action.
Currently, CoPE’s mandate is largely limited to reviewing the Auditor General’s findings and making recommendations, with no direct mechanism to trigger legal proceedings. The new provision, if adopted, is expected to close this gap by providing a stronger enforcement link between Parliamentary oversight and law enforcement.
The motion has now been referred to the Committee on Standing Orders for consideration, after which the necessary procedural steps will be taken to formalise the amendment.
Analysts note that the move reflects growing pressure on State institutions to ensure accountability in the wake of repeated findings of financial mismanagement across public enterprises, which have long burdened the Treasury and the public.
