Why does IMF ignore government’s authoritarian behavior, asks Harsha

SJB Colombo District MP Dr. Harsha de Silva expresses shock and dismay that IMF which insists on good governance continues to turn blind eye to what he called the ‘authoritarian behaviour’ of the Government. Dr Silva said that the SLPP led Government failed yet again to confirm him as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (CoPF).

“Once again the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Government found an excuse not to approve my name as Chair of the Parliament Committee on Public Finance,” he tweeted.

He said that the appointment did not take place due to the absence of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane at a selection meeting on Thursday.  He pointed out that the Government has for many months been approving IMF-related finance bills in violation of the standing order which states the COPF must be chaired by a member of the opposition.

The MP said while only his name has been proposed for the post, it was unbelievable that the IMF which insists on good governance continues to turn a blind eye to this type of authoritarian behaviour. “It is in this background they want every MP to vote in favour of the IMF agreement,” the MP said.

De Silva was first appointed to the post in August 2022 but was not among the members reappointed to the committee in the fourth session of the ninth Parliament.

Instead, SJB MP Mayantha Dissanayake was appointed as the new Chairperson of the CoPF in February this year. However, days later Dissanayake resigned from the post after other SJB members cried foul. De Silva was nominated to replace Dissanayake but his appointment has not been confirmed yet.