SLPP MP Prof. Tissa Vitarana has been appointed the Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts.

Vitarana, a senior leftist politician, was appointed to Parliament from the national list of the SLPP.

However, SJB MP Buddhika Pathirana previously requested the ruling party to appoint an opposition MP as the Chairman of the COPA.

"A ruling party MP has been appointed the Chairman of COPE request the government to appoint an opposition MP as the Chairman of COPA.," Pathirana said. the request, however, did not elicit a positive response from the government.