Shanakiyan warns against COPE reports being used as political weapons

Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has cautioned that the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) must not be used selectively or as a political weapon, stressing the need for impartiality and transparency in parliamentary oversight. He said while COPE plays a vital role in ensuring accountability in public institutions, there is growing concern that its reports are increasingly being used for political targeting rather than as the basis for independent investigations. “Once a COPE report is tabled in Parliament, it should not be used to publicly condemn individuals or institutions before investigations are completed and before any court of law has determined liability. Due process and the presumption of innocence are fundamental principles that must be respected,” Shanakiyan said in a post on X. The MP also highlighted inconsistencies in the selection of matters for COPE inquiry, noting that some issues receive extensive attention while others of equal or greater importance are overlooked. “As a member of the previous COPE Committee, I exposed the massive non‑performing loan portfolios of the Bank of Ceylon, People’s Bank and the National Savings Bank, involving billions of rupees in public funds. Yet today, these issues appear to have disappeared from the national conversation, while other matters are selectively prioritised,” he observed. Shanakiyan emphasized that public confidence in COPE depends not only on its findings but also on the integrity of its selection process. He insisted that every allegation of corruption, fraud, or financial mismanagement must be investigated equally, without fear or favour. “COPE must remain an independent oversight mechanism, not a forum for political targeting. Equal standards, transparency in case selection, and respect for due process are essential to preserving public trust in Parliament’s oversight role,” he added. (Newswire)