Political News | Sundayobserver.lk

The COPE committee report presented in Parliament by Senior Minister and the COPE Chairman, DEW. Gunasekera raised eye brows among people. Many irregular transactions of some public sector organisations came to light in the COPE report.

Irregularities in private sector cannot be monitored

COPE Chairman and Senior Minister DEW Gunasekera.

Q: You have made a great effort to reveal the irregularities in public sector institutions. Is there a follow-up mechanism to take disciplinary action against corrupt public officers.?

A: COPE recommendations were never implemented. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has focussed attention on the COPE revelations. The mechanism in the public sector is not strong enough to check irregularities. For example 28 State institutions including the Central Bank paid PAYE Tax on behalf of employees.

This was a violation of the Finance Act. Several State Banks including the Bank of Ceylon, the People's Bank and the National Savings Bank did likewise. The Government lost revenue to the tune of Rs. 205 billion as a result.

PAYE tax should be abolished

UNP - MP Ravi Karunanayake

Q: What is your view on the PAYE tax paid on behalf of the employees of 29 State institutions.

A: The PAYE tax should be abolished.

There are nearly 800,000 employees in the Private Sector who have difficulties on account of the increasing cost of living.

Action must be taken against corrupt officers

JVP - MP Sunil Hadunneththi.

Q: The COPE report has revealed the ugly side of public sector organisations.

A: Disciplinary action should be taken against those who were involved in irregular and corrupt activities

Their reports mean nothing, if action is not taken against all those corrupt officers.