Wednesday Apr 29, 2026
Wednesday Apr 29, 2026
Wednesday, 29 April 2026 00:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) Chairman MP Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday said that the committee had unanimously decided to probe the $ 2.5 million Treasury heist and to summon Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma and Central Bank Governor to Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe.
The two officials have been summoned to appear before CoPF tomorrow (30). The members of CoPF had convened yesterday to decide on the probe. “I convinced my CoPF colleagues that this was the best way to proceed with the matter and they all agreed,” Dr. de Silva told DailyFT.
Speaking to media earlier yesterday he said: “I am of the view that the Finance Ministry Secretary must be summoned regarding the Treasury fraud incident. It is essential that he briefs the Parliament. This is a Parliamentary privilege under the Constitution”.
Outspoken Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe said the Government would extend its full support to investigations conducted by the Committee. He was among the few or only Government MP to acknowledge negligence and vulnerabilities in Treasury payments (https://www.ft.lk/top-story/Govt-flags-negligence-and-vulnerability-in-Treasury-payments-after-2-5-m-theft/26-791121).
On Monday, the Government had rejected Opposition Party Leaders’ request for a Parliamentary debate when it next convenes on 5 May 2026.
At yesterday’s Cabinet media briefing, Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa was asked if the Treasury Secretary and other Finance Ministry officials would cooperate and be present at CoPF hearings amid continues CoPF complaints about lax attendance of public sector officials.
“Parliamentary privileges cannot be misused to harass and disrupt the day-to-day duties of public officials by frequently summoning them before various committees.
When pointed out that when his Cabinet colleague was a JVP Opposition MP chairing the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises had constantly complained about public officials not showing up when summoned, Dr. Jayatissa said the abuse of Parliamentary privileges was acute at present.
“This is an observation by Government MPs and public officials alike. They (public officials) have more important things to do than frequent Parliament to answer questions, and face undue harassment” Dr. Jayatissa said.
“We will address this matter in due course,” he added.
