SLPP MP Prof. Ranjith Bandara was elected as the new chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) with a majority of votes.

He was elected at the first meeting of the COPE held today (Oct. 06) for the third session of the Ninth Parliament.

The name of Prof. Bandara was proposed by MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage and seconded by MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena.

Meanwhile, the name of MP Eran Wickramaratne for the position of COPE chairperson was proposed by MP S.M Marikkar and seconded by MP Rohini Kumari Wijeratne.

At the division, Prof. Bandara received 15 votes in his favour while MP Wickramaratne received 07 votes.

Addressing the committee, the new COPE chairman said that one of the primary tasks of the Committee on Public Enterprise is to consider how to upgrade public enterprises.

He said that he expects the support of all members to carry forward the activities of the committee.

Accordingly, the Chairman said that the Coal Tender, which has been considered by the Committee Public Finance so far, is expected to be discussed in the COPE and that he intends to call the officials of the Public Enterprises Department under the Ministry of Finance and inquire about the steps taken so far on the management of public enterprises.

State Ministers Lohan Ratwatte, Indika Anuruddha, Shantha Bandara and Jagath Pushpakumara, and MPs Jagath Pushpakumara, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Dr. Harsha de Silva, Nimal Lanza, S.M.M. Musharraf, S.M. Marikkar, Mujibur Rahman, Rohini Kumari Wijeratne, Sanjeeva Edirimanna, Jagath Kumara Sumitrarachchi, Upul Mahendra Rajapaksa, Shanakkian Rasamanikkam, Rajika Wickramasinghe and Madura Vithanage were present at the meeting.

Meanwhile, MP Kabir Hashim was unanimously elected yesterday (Oct. 05) as the new chairman to the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA).

The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) held its inaugural meeting last morning.