Shanakiyan warns against politicisation of COPE

Wednesday, 22 July 2026 06:48 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam

ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam yesterday in Parliament raised serious concerns about the partisan and selective conduct of the Committee of Public Enterprises (COPE).

“COPE must not be used selectively or as a political weapon,” the MP told Parliament.

He said COPE plays a vital role in ensuring accountability and transparency in the management of public institutions. We fully support referring matters identified by COPE to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), the Police, or any other competent investigative authority.

“However, we are deeply concerned about the increasing tendency to use COPE reports as a political tool rather than as the beginning of an independent investigative process,” Rasamanickam charged.

The MP said: “Once a COPE report is tabled in Parliament, it should not be used to publicly condemn individuals or institutions before investigations are completed and before any court of law has determined liability. Due process and the presumption of innocence are fundamental principles that must be respected.

“Equally important is the question of selectivity. There must be complete transparency regarding how matters are chosen for COPE inquiry and why certain issues receive extensive attention while others of equal or greater public importance do not.

“As a member of the previous COPE Committee, I was the Member of Parliament who exposed the massive non-performing loan portfolios of the Bank of Ceylon, People’s Bank and the National Savings Bank.

“Those cases involved billions of rupees in public funds. Yet today, these issues appear to have disappeared from the national conversation, while other matters are selectively prioritised. This inconsistency naturally raises legitimate questions about whether the selection of matters for scrutiny is being applied fairly and consistently.

“Public confidence in COPE depends not only on its findings but also on the integrity and impartiality of its selection process. Accountability cannot be credible if investigations appear selective or influenced by political considerations.

“Our position is clear. Every allegation of corruption, fraud or financial mismanagement—regardless of the institution, the individual involved, or the political consequences—must be investigated equally and without fear or favour.

“COPE must remain an independent oversight mechanism, not a forum for political targeting. Equal standards, transparency in case selection, and respect for due process are essential to preserving public trust in Parliament’s oversight role.”