The duration of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) appointed to investigate the release of 323 containers from the Port of Colombo without mandatory physical inspection has been extended by a further three months, The Sunday Morning learns.
The committee was first convened on 21 January, with members initially agreeing to complete the inquiry within three months. However, delays linked to recent national developments, including the fuel crisis, have pushed back the timeline for the final report.
Sources familiar with the process said the committee was now nearing the conclusion of its work, with most primary evidence already recorded.
The PSC has met on seven occasions so far and is currently open to receiving voluntary witnesses before finalising its findings. The final report is expected to be completed and tabled in Parliament within the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, tensions have escalated between Government and Opposition members over a request made by Opposition MPs Ajith P. Perera, Mujibur Rahman, Dayasiri Jayasekara, and D.V. Chanaka during the committee’s 7 April meeting to summon President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Minister Bimal Rathnayake, Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, and Finance Ministry Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma to give evidence.
The request was defeated by eight votes to four within the committee. Opposition members alleged that the majority had used its numbers to block the appearance of key witnesses, while Government members maintained that a lengthy discussion had taken place and that the Opposition had failed to establish the relevance of calling these individuals.
Both sides now claim that they will take action against the other over conduct within the committee.
National People’s Power (NPP) MP Dr. Najith Indika, a member of the committee, accused Opposition MPs of attempting to undermine the credibility of the PSC before the release of its final report.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Dr. Indika further stated that the committee had no objection to summoning any person, including the President, but stressed that a logical and evidence-based basis had to first be established.
“The claim that we refused to allow the President, Minister Bimal Rathnayake, and another Minister to be summoned is completely false. This issue regarding the composition of the committee was never raised before. It is being raised now for another reason. They already know how such committees are formed. They know committee representation is based on parliamentary numbers. That is why the membership stands at eight and four. They know that very well,” he said.
He also criticised what he described as a breach of an earlier understanding among members not to disclose committee proceedings to the media until the report was completed, adding that the Government side would consider action under Standing Orders against the conduct of Opposition members.
Meanwhile, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ajith P. Perera said that Opposition members were considering further steps in response to the rejection of their request.
He stated that the Opposition had sought to call four witnesses whom it considered essential to the inquiry, including the President in his capacity as Finance Minister, the then Ports Minister, the Deputy Minister who publicly addressed the matter on behalf of the Government, and the Finance Ministry Secretary.
Perera said that the rejection was completely against parliamentary tradition and added that Opposition MPs were discussing strategic options to respond to the Government’s move.
When asked whether those ‘strategic options’ included the resignation of Opposition members from the committee in protest, Perera said no final decision had been made.
“We are looking at the matter with an open mind. We can stay in the committee and follow strategic methods. We are discussing whether to raise this issue within parliamentary tradition or complain to the Speaker,” he said.