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Full probe into failed sound system - Speaker

by Rodney Martinesz

Speaker Joseph Michael Perera has promised a full probe into the failure of Parliament's latest digital sound system which forced a prolonged recess of the House.

This follows representations made to him by Parliamentary Affairs Minister A.H.M. Azwer where it was pointed out that the Speaker's power as custodian of the House extends beyond MPs to cover all functions undertaken within the precincts of the House. The Minister also cited Standing Orders 136 and 137 in this connection.

It is in this context that the Minister has called upon the Speaker to hold an inquiry into the conduct of the engineer who was responsible for installing the new acoustics and digital sound system of the House.

The matter had come up for discussion at the Government Parliamentary Group meeting with the Prime Minister taking up the matter with Minister Azwer.

"The Prime Minister instructed me to ensure everything is in order for the House to resume on June 4th, the Minister said.

He said the old sound system functioned without any hitch. Thus there was no need whatsoever for a new sound system.

"This was done without following any tender procedures by the PA government. They had even ignored the President's own injunction that all tenders of over Rs. 1 million be advertised in the national press.

The sound system which was installed at a cost of Rs. 57.5 million packed up abruptly on May 21st at the start of the sessions which forced on adjournment for the rest of the week.

The Speaker is expected to make a special statement in Parliament when the House meets again on June 4th in this connection. 

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