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COPE to study AG’s report on Central Bank bond issue on Wednesday
View(s):The report of the Auditor General on the bond issue is expected to be placed before the Committee members by that day, COPE Chairman Sunil Handunnetti said.
The Committee had decided in February this year that a full inquiry must be held into the bond issue and had directed the Auditor General to undertake the inquiry.
Mr. Handunnetti said that the AG had informed him in writing that there was difficulty in gaining access to the documents relating to the transaction following which Central Bank officials were summoned to COPE on June 8. After a discussion, the matter was sorted out and the AG has been given the relevant documents, he said.
He said the findings of a special committee under the Chairmanship of the former head of COPE D.E.W.Gunasekera which also carried out an inquiry into the bond issue were submitted to the AG for his observations as well.
The D E W Gunasekera report was completed in June 2015 but could not be presented to the House as Parliament was dissolved before it could be presented.
Mr.Handunneeti said that the members of COPE have acted in a bipartisan manner on this issue and on other issues as well and there would be no cover up if there was any wrongdoing.