Deputy Minister Chathuranga says COPF lacks investigative authority, clarifying its role amid Treasury heist controversy and $2.5M transfer probe.
The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has no investigative authority, Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe said, addressing growing confusion over its role in the ongoing Treasury heist controversy involving the $2.5 million transfer.
Speaking to the media as a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance, Abeysinghe stressed that COPF is not designed to function as an investigative or research body. Instead, he clarified that the committee operates strictly as an oversight mechanism tasked with reviewing government revenue and expenditure.
He explained that the committee’s primary responsibility is to examine financial legislation presented to Parliament and help lawmakers better understand the fiscal implications of such bills. This clarification comes at a time when public scrutiny has intensified over the committee’s involvement in probing the alleged misdirection of funds.
The committee had earlier decided to summon the Treasury Secretary and his team to provide explanations regarding the incident in which $2.5 million was credited to the wrong account. However, Abeysinghe dismissed claims that the Secretary had refused to appear before the committee, stating that those reports were inaccurate.
According to him, the Secretary had officially informed the committee that he was unable to attend the scheduled session but had indicated his willingness to appear on a later date. This raises concerns about how information surrounding the investigation is being communicated to the public.
Abeysinghe also highlighted that any official position of the Committee on Public Finance must be presented collectively, warning that statements made individually by the Chairman do not necessarily reflect the consensus of the entire committee. However, questions remain about whether mixed messaging has contributed to public confusion over accountability.
He reiterated that there is no need to politicize the matter, emphasizing that while COPF has the authority to question tax collection and public spending, it does not conduct investigative inquiries. That responsibility lies with other designated bodies within the governance framework.
The Deputy Minister further noted that COPF continues to play a critical role in maintaining the country’s financial stability through oversight and analysis. However, what happens next could be critical as pressure mounts for clarity, transparency, and accountability in the handling of the Treasury incident.
