UNP says the fainess of the probes are at stake

Speaker WJM Lokubandara has appointed Parliamentary Select Committees (PSC) to investigate alleged secret deal of Rajapaksa administration with the LTTE and corruption in purchasing MIG fighter jets from Ukraine.

Leader of the House, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, and Media Minister, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, were appointed as the chairmen of the two PSCs respectively.

The United National Party (UNP) has accused the government of sabotaging the PSCs by appointing ministers as head of the committees.

The usual system is either somebody known to be impartial or somebody from the opposition is appointed. There are many other opposition parties other than the UNP Joseph Michael Perera

Chief Opposition Whip and former Speaker, Joseph Michael Perera, told BBC Sandeshaya that the party objected as it might hamper the fairness of the investigation.

“The speaker has the right to make such an appointment but earlier also we requested not to make such an appointment as it is not fair. The usual system is either somebody known to be impartial or somebody from the opposition is appointed. There are many other opposition parties other than the UNP,” he said.

The usual tradition, he said, is to appoint the person who requested the investigation as the chairman of the PSC.

The PSC on secret deals with the LTTE was requested by the late MP, Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi.

“Nimal Siripala de Silva is not an impartial person in terms of this investigation,” Mr. Perera told BBCSinhala.com.

Although there are members from the opposition parties, he added, it is the head of the PSC submits the report of the investigation.