The Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF), Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva has disclosed that a report requested from the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance regarding the transfer of US$ 2.5 million from the Treasury to another party was sent to his private residence instead of being submitted through Parliament.
According to MP de Silva, the report was marked "for personal perusal only." He said he declined to accept the document and instructed that it be submitted to Parliament through the proper official channels.
Speaking on the matter, MP de Silva stated that the report had been requested by the Committee on Public Finance for discussion and review by its members, rather than for his personal examination. He noted that forwarding the report directly to him undermined the committee’s oversight role and the authority vested in Parliament to scrutinize public finances.
Dr. de Silva further stated that, with the agreement of committee members, he directed the relevant authorities to resubmit the report to Parliament. He said the committee would review and discuss the contents of the report once it is formally received.
The Committee on Public Finance is responsible for overseeing matters related to government revenue and expenditure and functions under the authority of Parliament.
