by Saman Indrajith
Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises Sunil Handunnetti (JVP) threatens to resign from the post if he feels the members of the committee are being influenced by outside forces trying to clear Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran of wrongdoing in the alleged bond scams.
Handunnetti told The Island on Friday that he would resign as COPE chairman if there were attempts by the committee members to delay the report containing the findings of the committee’s investigation into Mahendran’s alleged involvement in the bond scams which resulted in a colossal loss to the national economy.
“The process of compiling the report has reached its final stage. Most probably there would be a vote as regards the issue. If I feel there is political manipulation, I will resign from the post of COPE chairman.”
He said the JVP would never whitewash Mahendran or let the COPE be manipulated.
Mahendran on Friday said that he would not seek a second term until the COPE cleared his name. The watchdog committee comprises 26 members with the UNP having the majority. Mahendran said: “The COPE is conducting an investigation. I hope that investigation would clear my name. I have decided not to seek an extension of my term until COPE clears my name. The COPE is the best forum where I can prove my innocence. I am waiting for the COPE reports.”
Governor Mahendran’s first term ends next Thursday (June 30).
COPE members are Sunil Handunnetti (Chairman) Rauff Hakeem (SLMC), Anura Priiyadarshana Yapa (UPFA), Dayasiri Jayasekera (UPFA), Ravindra Samaraweera (UNP), Wasantha Aluvihare (UNP), Lasantha Alagiyawanna (UPFA), Dr Harsha de Silva (UNP), Ajith P Perera (UNP), Ranjan Ramanayake (UNP), Ashoka Abeysinghe (UNP), Anura Kumara Dissanayake (JVP), Lakshman Seneviratne (UPFA), Chandrasiri Gajadeera (UPFA), Bimal Ratnayake (JVP), Weerakumara Dissanayake (UPFA), Mavai Senathiraja (TNA), MA Sumanthiran (TNA), Hector Appuhamy (UNP), Velu Kumar (UNP), Dr Nalinda Jayatissa (JVP), Harshana Rajakaruna (UNP), S Sritharan (TNA), Abdulla Maharoof (ACMC), Gnamutthu Srinesan (TNA) and Mahindananda Aluthgamage (UPFA).
Parliamentary sources said that COPE is divided over its opinion on Mahendran issue and there were some members in the COPE who had so far not uttered a single word during the investigation though they attended sessions. Their vote was unpredictable as the government elements were lobbying the support of COPE members for Mahendran, sources said.
Former JVP stalwart and National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa has already alleged in Parliament that the JVP had undertaken to clear Mahendran’s name. Weerawansa on Thursday said that the COPE was deliberately acting to take Mahendran off the hook.
COPE Chairman on Friday rejecting the allegation by his erstwhile colleague said that Weerawansa had belittled and caused an affront to the COPE. “The COPE by no means tried to whitewash Mahendran contrary to Weerawansa’s claim. At the very first COPE meeting after I assumed duties, we decided to summon the Central Bank officials and they were summoned on February 25 after giving them one month to prepare. There we decided to conduct a special inquiry into the Treasury Bond controversy and also to use the evidence gathered by the previous COPE Sub-Committee in this regard. The Auditor General was asked to hand over a report to us and when he reported, the information was not provided to the CB Governor. We once again summoned the CB and other relevant officials and resolved the matter.”
Courtesy:The Island