Wrong not to permit Opposition Leader in COPE – Speaker

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene told Parliament yesterday that it was wrong not to permit Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to participate in the COPE sessions.

Commenting on the allegation that the son of the Chairman of the COPE committee had participated in the committee session, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that an outsider has no right to sit on the COPE Committee. But the Parliament has been informed that he is the Chairman’s Media Secretary.
    

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that he is a Member of Parliament.He is the Leader of the Opposition too. But, can I join the COPE Committee accompanying with my Secretaries?

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said no outsider has the right to participate in COPE sessions.We need to find out the background of this incident.

The Opposition Leader queried whether he was also allowed to take one of his media officers to the COPE?.

The Speaker said that investigations were carried out as to why the Opposition Leader was not given an opportunity to participate in the COPE meeting and said it was wrong.