Colombo (News 1st); Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on Thursday (27) said Presidential Commissions of Inquiry cannot summon the Chairman or the members of the Committee On Public Enterprises or COPE without his approval.

JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake speaking in Parliament said COPE members cannot be summoned to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry with regards to COPE matters, without special approval from Parliament.

He claimed Former COPE Chairman Sunil Handunneti was summoned to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry adding the Ex-MP had addressed a letter on the matter to the Speaker.

The Speaker in response said if there is any harm caused to parliamentary privileges, the Secretary-General on behalf of the speaker would respond to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry.

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