Tensions escalate within Parliament as the appointment of Rohitha Abeygunawardena as Chairman of the COPE Committee sparks outrage and resignations among members.
The latest development saw the seventh member of the COPE committee tender their resignation this afternoon in protest against Abeygunawardena’s controversial appointment, which occurred on the 7th of March.
The contentious appointment process unfolded during the committee’s first meeting held on March 7th. MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage proposed Abeygunawardena’s name for the chairmanship, seconded by MP Sanjeeva Edirimanna. Opposition arose with the proposal of Honorable Gamini Valeboda, supported by MP Hesha Withanage and confirmed by MP Dylan Perera. Despite the divided nominations, Abeygunawardena clinched the position through a majority vote.
In a series of subsequent events, resignations cascaded as Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Iran Wickramaratne and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MP Dayasiri Jayasekara stepped down from their COPE committee roles in protest against Abeygunawardena’s leadership.
Joining the growing dissent, Gamini Valeboda MP Shanakkian Rasamanikkam, Hesha Withanage MP of Samagi Jana Balawegaya, and S. M. Marikkar MP of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, along with Professor Charita Herath, resigned from the committee.
The appointment of Abeygunawardena drew vehement criticism in Parliament today (19), prompting the opposition’s chief organizer, Lakshman Kiriella, to table a motion of no confidence to the Speaker, citing the COPE Committee’s compromised integrity.
Echoing the discontent, Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha warned of potential societal unrest should the COPE committee remain unaddressed and the controversial appointment left unrectified.
