Both the Government and the Opposition, yesterday unanimously agreed to amend Parliamentary Standing Orders to enable the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) to call for and look into the accounts and deals of companies for which funds are passed by the House, even if they do not come under the supervision of the Auditor General.
Opposition lawmakers expressed their inability to summon companies such as Mihin Lanka, Lankaputhra and Maga Neguma although the House passed funds for them.
“We are allowed to look into the accounts and deals of companies on which the Auditor General has submitted reports. The companies registered under the Registrar of Companies do not come under the scrutiny of the Auditor General even though Parliament allocates funds for them. We have sought advice and instructions from the Attorney General to look into the possibility of summoning them before COPE” Chairman of the COPE, Power and Energy Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne said
“Everybody in this August assembly should be accountable to the COPE since funds are allocated by the House to their institutions. “replied Anura Kumara Dissanayake the JVP parliamentary group leader.
“But an MP more powerful than the COPE Chairman has threatened the Chairman that those companies must not be brought before COPE.
“If the House allocates money for them, such companies must be held accountable to Parliament. We should not wait for the Attorney General’s instruction. We could and have the power to amend the standing orders.”
Minister Seneviratne: I also agree with the suggestion that these companies be summoned before the COPE.
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama: I am a former Chairman of COPE. The companies for which funds are passed by the House must be supervised in order to install financial discipline.
UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella: According to Standing Orders, the Speaker has the authority to make a final decision.
Speaker W. J. M. Lokubandara: One should not use a sledgehammer to kill a mosquito. We should wait and if there is no other way we’ll see to it.
JVP MP Dissanayake: If there is no Auditor General’s report, the House must find a way to summon companies such as Mihin Air, Maga Neguma and Lankaputhra.
Minister Seneviratne: It could be done only if the House agrees.
Speakers Lokubandara: The Constitution is supreme. It has given powers to the House to amend its standing orders. We act according to the Constitution. We must strengthen powers granted to Parliament. Does the House agree?”
House: “Aye”
Speaker: Then we can sort out the mess.