Bond probe on June 23
The COPE (Committee On Public Enterprises) subcommittee probing the Central Bank bond issue controversy expects to hand over its report to Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, when Parliament meets next Tuesday (23), a source close to the COPE inquiry said yesterday.
He added that it was up to the party leaders to decide on the next course of action on the controversial transaction in accordance with the findings and recommendations of the sub-committee.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala De Silva told the Daily Mirror yesterday that the Opposition for sure would ask for a debate on the findings of the committee report soon after it was handed over to Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa. The 13- member Parliamentary sub-committee appointed from among COPE members is led by COPE Chairman, D.E.W. Gunasekara. The
Chairman Gunasekara requested more time from Speaker Rajapaksa and it was granted
report of the committee was scheduled to be handed over within two weeks of its appointment on June 12. But, Chairman Gunasekara asked for another ten days to finish the job as the workload was heavy.
The COPE subcommittee appointed on May 22 kicked off its probe by first recording a statement from Treasury Secretary Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga on May 27 in Parliament.
Statements have also been recorded from top officials of the Bank of Ceylon, National Savings Bank, EPF, CSE, primary dealers, a number of deputy governors and a few top officials of the Central Bank.
Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran is scheduled to be summoned at the end of the week after statements from officials from relevant establishments were recorded, the source told .
“The COPE subcommittee had a tedious task in its hand and conducted inquiries from day one and on some days recording of statements and discussions continued till late night. Chairman Gunasekara requested more time from Speaker Rajapaksa and it was granted. The inquiries are expected to conclude this week end and Mr. Gunasekara will present the report to Speaker Rajapaksa when Parliament meets on Tuesday,” he added.
The COPE inquiry is assisted by the Attorney General’s Department and two Superintendents of the Audit Department of the Central Bank and officials of the Auditor General’s Department.