‘If I am fit to become MP, why can’t I function as COPE Chair?’ Rohitha asks

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera
COPE Chairman MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena yesterday said if he was fit to be elected as a Member of Parliament, why can’t he function as the Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE).  
Abeygunawardena told Parliament that Standing Orders must include qualifications required to hold the Chairmanship of Parliamentary Committees such as COPE and COPA. 

• The MP said he was elected the COPE Chair with a majority vote by the members of the COPE and that the opposition members were resigning from COPE as the person they wanted was not elected 

“We must include in Standing Orders the educational qualifications required to hold the Chairmanship of the COPE, COPA and other committees. Being an MP alone is not sufficient to become a Chair of a Committee. I was elected to Parliament by the people in the Kalutara District. If I am fit to be elected as an MP, why can’t I function as COPE Chair? When I was elected COPE Chair, the opposition made allegations against me,” he said. 
The MP said he was elected the COPE Chair with a majority vote by the members of the COPE and that the opposition members were resigning from COPE as the person they wanted was not elected.  
He said he would carry out his duties as the COPE chair despite challenges.