Chair of the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) – MP Harsha de Silva today (June 07) addressed the challenges and intimidation he has faced while leading the inquiry into the VFS fiasco.

MP Harsha detailed the significant hurdles faced during the VFS inquiry. “Certain people not only tried to intimidate me but are now resorting to slinging mud, falsely accusing me of being in cahoots with VFS to hush things up,” he stated.

“We will present a detailed report to Parliament, revealing everything we have uncovered during this investigation,” he declared. “I am committed to transparency and accountability in Sri Lankan governance, and these attempts to silence me will not succeed,” he added.

“Who wants to silence  me? What if they kill me on the streets? Honorable Speaker, I am telling you firmly. You are responsible for my safety. This is a multi-billion dollar project. If I am killed on the streets, Honourable Speaker, those behind this will have to be held accountable. What do you say to me? For me to hush up this fraud and corruption? Can this threatening and intimidation happen?,” he further said.

MP de Silva was previously removed from the COPF Chair position twice ; once for intervening in a corrupt coal tender that saved the country a significant sum. He was reappointed unanimously by the Opposition.