COPE Chairman calls for Committee sittings to be opened to media

JVP MP Sunil Handunnetti who heads the parliamentary watchdog committee – COPE (Committee on Public Enterprises) today (Jan 24)  said that the proceedings of this Committee as well as the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) should be open to the media so as to raise public awareness.

The MP made these comments after he presented to Parliament the COPE’s report covering the period July 7, 2017 to Sept 9, 2017.

The report contained investigations on 17 public institutions including COPE inquiry on the alleged corruption and fraud at Sri Lanka Airlines. 

“I would like to stress the importance of opening the COPE and COPA sessions for media coverage subjected to Parliament Powers and Privileges Act. Public awareness on these matters is extremely crucial,” Handunnetti said.

According to the COPE Chairman, in 2014 Sri Lankan Airlines has recorded a loss of Rs. 32, 357 MN, in 2015 a loss of Rs 16,000 MN, in 2016 a loss of Rs. 12,000 MN. “The National Carrier has under gone a loss of Rs. 40,000 MN during the last nine months. The minister, President and other responsible officials need to take decisions on this matter,” he said.

(CK)