COPE Chairman bought over by SLC: Sajith alleges

15 November 2023 12:24 pm - 24 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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COLOMBO (Daily Mirror) Sri Lanka’s cricket crisis has taken a chaotic turn with some members of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and its chairman Ranjith Bandara accusing each other of mishandling the probe on Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

Some COPE members highlighted that Prof. Bandara should be removed from the chairmanship of the committee temporarily until the probe on SLC is completed.

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa said Prof. Bandara acted as if he had been bought over by the SLC.

“The COPE chairman, using hand signals, advised SLC members not to answer questions raised by MPs at Tuesday's meeting. This is clearly visible in the videos that are being circulated over social media,” Premadasa said.

SJB MP Hesha Vithanage said Prof. Bandara should not be allowed to chair the future probes which COPE is slated to carry out on SLC during the coming days.

“COPE has summoned SLC on November 24, 27 and 28. We request that Prof. Bandara is removed temporarily and an acting chairman be appointed,” he said.

MP S.M. Marikar said he and some other members of COPE do not want to participate in any probes on SLC with Professor Bandara at the chair.

MP Chaminda Wijesiri accused Professor Bandara of violating the privileges of COPE members.

“The COPE Chairman could be dealt with under Section 18 of the Privileges Act,” he said.

MP Premanath Dollawatta also wanted the COPE Chairman out temporarily.

Prof. Bandara, in response, accused Opposition members of trying to politicise the probe.

“COPE is expected to be independent as much as possible. However, there was a planned effort by the Opposition members to politicize the probe on SLC,” he said.

“I put my fingers on my lips and asked the opposition MPs to be quiet as many members were speaking at the same time,” he added.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana did not give any ruling with regard to the matter.

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Comments - 24

Sambo Wednesday, 15 November 2023 12:59 PM

A very very good way to save your skin. You should be taken out for good.

Amaran Thursday, 16 November 2023 01:36 AM

@ sambo Don't attempt to protect the corrupt individuals. Corruption should be exposed at all rime. Otherwise it would be repeated. PLEASE. Sajith is CLEAN

Crooked Chairman Wednesday, 15 November 2023 01:08 PM

COPE Chairman Bandara may be acting as instructed by RW in the probe of SLC.

Nn Wednesday, 15 November 2023 01:35 PM

It is possible.

Ram Wednesday, 15 November 2023 02:00 PM

Rogues in Parliament exhibiting their skills on how to save their favourites

Saving Uncle Jerome Wednesday, 15 November 2023 03:00 PM

Namal is the reason. His uncle Jerome J. a top official in the cricket board gives this crooked board the real political power.

S. Samarakoon Wednesday, 15 November 2023 03:12 PM

Supreme Court has declared SLPP Leadership of being the Bankrupting Force. Hence, no doubts about such people.

joshua Wednesday, 15 November 2023 03:43 PM

dolphin kottu. Ultimately there will be a stalemate, and nothing happens.

Leela Wednesday, 15 November 2023 04:18 PM

Ponnaya speaking.

Buddhist Wednesday, 15 November 2023 04:21 PM

SLPP is full of corrupt politicians.

N V Jen Wednesday, 15 November 2023 05:23 PM

Splendour and Prosperity for all Viyathmaga members !

Aquarius Wednesday, 15 November 2023 06:10 PM

Politician to be "on the take" is the norm. The way present COPE chairman is conducting the findings is very dubious, to put it mildly. If the Chairman is clean, he can step down until the committee findings are complete.

Sam Silva Wednesday, 15 November 2023 06:35 PM

Every politician and the appointees are bought. It's strange that you are not aware.

Karrom Wednesday, 15 November 2023 06:36 PM

Prof Ranjith Bandara is one of the most crooked fellows in Parliament. It is absolutely hilarious that he is leading the COPE. Its no wonder he has been sold already to the SLC. Must check all his telephone conversations and bank accounts. If you guys dont know he has expeditiously built a mansion like house in Bowalawaththa in Kandy few months back near our houses. Daily more than 100people work there. How does he get this much money?all this should be investigated.

Dan Wednesday, 15 November 2023 07:01 PM

There's a letter circulating in the FB with Prof Ranjith Bandara acting as a consultant for SLC for their projects.

wickrama wijayasiri Wednesday, 15 November 2023 07:27 PM

The veins of corruption run deeper than expected.

Tissa Fernando Wednesday, 15 November 2023 09:01 PM

Yes, anyone who watched the videos would agree that the COPE was taking a very soft approach with the SLC officials, they were seeing only procedural issues rather than saying misuse of authority, some MPs openly said that taking family members to Australia to watch cricket was OK . May be these MPs are planning to visit next tournament if at all Sri Lanka is allowed to participate that.

saman Wednesday, 15 November 2023 09:26 PM

Not only Ranjith Bandara, how many more people have SLC Cricket bought over?

saman Wednesday, 15 November 2023 09:34 PM

This was a joke we heard when we were small. The defendant is released and the judge is sent to jail (vithikaruwa nidahas, nadukaraya hirey)

Sam Silva Wednesday, 15 November 2023 09:36 PM

Sajith, When the opportunity was given to you to govern the country after the aragalya you rejected it because you could not take the challenge. When all the leaders rejected, Ranil took the challenge for better or worse. Now everyone throwing rocks at him. Just imagine the plight of our country if no one took the responsibility.

Francis Thursday, 16 November 2023 06:18 AM

I am not a politician but watch the COPE proceedings. I too felt that there was something unusual in the manner prof Bandara conducted the proceedings. President of the SLC did not open his mouth or was he questioned though there were plenty of reasons to question him or for him to responds. May be thd finger made the difference

CitizenP Thursday, 16 November 2023 07:00 AM

As long as SLPP is in power, we can not expect a unbiased decisions in COPE.

Punchi Thursday, 16 November 2023 07:03 AM

International relevant sports bodies have banned Sri Lankan Rugby, banned Sri Lankan football and now Sri Lankan cricket. They need to be educated that we have our own superior 2500 year old civilisation produced internal mechanisms on doing things and lift these bans

Waco Thursday, 16 November 2023 11:07 AM

Sajith, you do not do any thing constructively. You are the leader of opposition. What have you done upto now to challenge the Government? Nothing. Any one can write to the news papers.

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COPE Chairman bought over by SLC: Sajith alleges

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