Harsha de Silva denied COPF chair
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harsha de Silva has been removed as chairman of the parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF) and his SJB colleague Mayantha Dissanayake has been appointed in his place, leading to criticism from at least one vocal SJB member.
MP de Silva tweeted Thursday (23) that all government MPs have backed the appointment of Dissanayake overruling the former’s original appointment.
“Goes to show how low people can go,” the economist-turned-politician said.
Responding to comments about how the COPF chair is still with the main opposition, he said: “Actually it was my name that was proposed by the opposition as the nominee from the opposition. It was approved two days ago. But today the government abused their power and used Mayantha to get their way. Good luck to everyone.”
On Tuesday (21), de Silva expressed his displeasure at the Parliament’s communication department for not issuing a statement of his appointment as COPF chair. He also claimed that attempts were underway by the government to create division within the opposition.
In a subsequent tweet he thanked opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and other opposition party leaders for their support for his candidacy. He also thanked Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena for endorsing his name without hesitation.
SJB Weligama organizer and former Weligama urban council chairman Rehan Jayawickreme, meanwhile, criticized MP Dissanayake for accepting the new position. He said it was unacceptable that Dissanayake went against the party line.
-economynext.com
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