’Will resign if allegations proven’: COPE Chairman

20 November 2023 01:03 pm - 23 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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BY YOHAN PERERA AND AJITH SIRIWARDANA

PARLIAMENT (Daily Mirror)- Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Prof. Ranjith Bandara engaged in a heated argument in Parliament during which fresh allegations were hurled against each other.

Hurling a fresh allegation against the COPE chief, Premadasa said the Colombo Business School owned by Professor Bandara has been preparing corporate plans for the state enterprises which are summoned before the COPE.

“The COPE chief questions various state enterprises which are summoned before the committee whether they have corporate plans. Then he gets Colombo Business School to prepare corporate plans for these enterprises for a fee. One example is the charging of a fee from the Sri Lanka Vocational Training Authority by the Business School headed by Professor Bandara,” he added.

Premadasa came out with this allegation in response to an allegation by Professor Bandara that COPE will begin an investigation into a fraud with regard to the Central Cultural Fund and into a land deal in which a prominent opposition MP is involved.

"The Central Cultural Fund monies have been spent without the approval of Ranil Wickremesinghe who was the Prime Minister during the Yahapalana government,” he said.

Both raised their voices and shouted at each other using unparliamentary language.

Meanwhile, the COPE chief said he would resign if the allegations made against him are proven.

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Comments - 23

sam Monday, 20 November 2023 01:12 PM

As a educated person he should go

Iwazaru Monday, 20 November 2023 05:23 PM

Educated? My foot.

Premalal Perera Monday, 20 November 2023 01:14 PM

Explain to the country about the meaning of your sign language.

Shahul Hameed Monday, 20 November 2023 01:29 PM

Known stooge of the Rajapakshas who Bankrupted the Country.

ravin Monday, 20 November 2023 01:35 PM

Why delay? Presently you have given enough evidences to public that you are not suited to hold the dignity of your portfolio. name few your hand gesture in recent cope meeting, public has to pay increased tariff charges if they use electricity - you forgot electricity is almost an essential service in today's life style

Lakmal Kahawela Monday, 20 November 2023 01:46 PM

Already proved in parliament by Sajith and Roshan. Please leave like a GENTLEMAN

Rubu Fernando Tuesday, 21 November 2023 12:12 AM

"GENTLEMAN"? - Sorry - his level of learning does not yield his greed filled brain to comprehend that word, for that matter it means nothing - non existent . The likes of him - there are many more - the outcome of the era of the Rajapakse hoodlums since 2005. Rob, steal, pilfer, enrich oneself with reckless disregard to any sense of morals and consciousness.

Ram Monday, 20 November 2023 01:55 PM

Don't resign, soon you will be chased away. Please bring a motion in Parliament to throw him from COPE and also from Parliament

Rajiv De Silva Monday, 20 November 2023 02:20 PM

Well, too late and the damage is already done.

Jayantha Monday, 20 November 2023 02:44 PM

Alreafy bandara is proven as a rogue politicians. Please kick him out of parliment. Just check who appointed him to cope post and it is the same guy who protected the bond scammers,rogue family and bookipalas team

Keran Monday, 20 November 2023 03:00 PM

You have already proved your self that you are one sided person. Also you should go without hanging in the position.

DJ Monday, 20 November 2023 03:11 PM

Disgraceful and shameful. Utter greed

Nutty professor Monday, 20 November 2023 04:26 PM

This fellow is not a professor.. He had not got a PHd.. Thats a bogus title... This should be first exposed..

Justin Monday, 20 November 2023 05:46 PM

Sri lankan's famous saying when cornered, " Will resign if allegations proven correct. "

VJ Monday, 20 November 2023 07:25 PM

You are highly educated? Did you learn about ethics during your long study? The government has an ethics office somewhere? I only hope they look into your behavior and take action.

Abd Monday, 20 November 2023 07:29 PM

@Nutty professor, do you have proof for your accusation

Henry Monday, 20 November 2023 07:55 PM

It’s the people from the majority community involved in corruption and thieving in Sri Lanka. That’s my observation as a foreigner.

Susantha Monday, 20 November 2023 08:04 PM

This fellow should resign if he has an iota of self-respect and dignity.

Aquarius Monday, 20 November 2023 11:58 PM

Any professional who reads body language and facial expressions will predict the chairman is guilty as hell.

Runu Fernando Tuesday, 21 November 2023 12:05 AM

The proper etiquette and conscionable act should be to resign forthwith without any second thoughts upon an allegation being levelled. Await outcome of any investigations, inquiries or probes to be completed. Once one is cleared of the allegations, then the person could at his discretion allow himself to be reappointed to the vacated position. There is no room for exhibition of any arrogance challenging that allegations be proved and thereafter one would resign. The corrupt system introduced into the body fabric of Sri Lanka by the Rajapakse hoodlums have eradicated any and all sense of self respect, esteem and decency.

සිසිල් සුදේශ් Tuesday, 21 November 2023 07:45 AM

He offers to resign from the parliament if the allegation of sexual harassment is proved! Very magnanimous. Poor fool is unaware that sexual harassment is punishable by imprisonment!

UAli Tuesday, 21 November 2023 02:25 PM

We are common citizens, we understood you have had dealings with SLC sufficient enough to favor shammi,/ you should not allow your son,it’s unethical/ people correctly understood meanings of gesticulations ,your are fit to kick out, but it’s respectful ,if you resign your own

Jude Tuesday, 21 November 2023 06:46 PM

You know it very well, under the justice system we cannot prove anything!! That's why you're uttering this kind of challenges, yeah. The system corrupted to the core and that's why you're not behind bars, Huh.

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’Will resign if allegations proven’: COPE Chairman

Comments - 23

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