COPE suffers another blow with a resignation

The Committee of Public Enterprises (COPE) suffered another blow today with the resignation of SLPP MP Wasantha Yapa Bandara in protest  over the appointment of MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena as its Chairman.

The selection of MP Bandara as a COPE member was announced by the Deputy Speaker Mr. Ajith Rajapakse shortly after the parliamentary session began this morning (Mar. 20), but MP Bandara responded saying he was resigning.

He said he would also send out a written statement regarding his decision.

MP Abeygunawardena was elected as the new Chairman of the COPE by majority votes at the Fifth Session of the Ninth Parliament, nominated by MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage and seconded by MP Sanjeewa Edirimanne.

However, up to seven members of the committee have already resigned: Bandara is the eighth member to leave the COPE, joining MP Eran Wickramaratne, MP Gamini Waleboda, Prof. Charitha Herath, MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, MP S.M. Marikkar, MP Hesha Withanage, and MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam.

The string of resignations has dealt a severe blow on the credibility of the COPE.

NPP leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake has also resigned from the COPE.