• Govt. to review status quo if CIABOC files case over Kumara Jayakody’s time as the head of a tender board in a state co., related complaint already made to CIABOC by civil society org.

In the wake of reports that the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) is preparing to file action against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody, the Government stated that a decision on his position in the Cabinet of Ministers would be made depending on the circumstances that develop if the Commission proceeds with a case.

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing yesterday (19), Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said that no official communication has yet been received from the CIABOC, and that the matter has so far only been reported in the media.

“This is not something that arose after he (Jayakody) became a minister. The allegations are connected to his service between 2005 and 2015, when he worked at a state institution, and relate to shortcomings that are said to have taken place under a few officials working under him. The CIABOC will have to decide the next step. If a case is filed, we will see how to proceed,” he said.

He added that the Government’s policy is to allow impartial and independent investigations in such cases. “Even though this allegation concerns his earlier public service, our position is to give the CIABOC full space to act without interference. That is what shows transparency. If the CIABOC takes further action, the minister will then have the chance to prove his innocence.”

When questioned about Jayakody’s continuation as a minister in the face of such allegations, Dr. Jayatissa said: “We can’t comment at this stage since no case has been filed. If the CIABOC does move forward with a case, we will review the circumstances then, and decide.”

According to recent media reports, the CIABOC has decided to initiate action against Jayakody and two others over the alleged misappropriation of Rs. eight million during his tenure at a state-owned fertiliser company in 2015. He is reported to have served as the head of the tender board that awarded a tender later found to be irregular.

Meanwhile, a complaint has been filed with the CIABOC against the Minister of Energy, engineer Kumara Jayakody, alleging involvement in corrupt activities. The complaint was lodged by the Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Haritha Sangvidhanaya (Green Organisation), Sanka Chandima Abeywardena. According to the complaint, Jayakody is accused of causing financial losses to the Government during his tenure at the Fertiliser Corporation by being involved in a corrupt tender transaction. The complaint also highlights other decisions made by him while serving as a Cabinet Minister, which allegedly resulted in further financial loss to the State. Abeywardena stated that all the relevant documents and evidence have been handed over to the CIABOC. 

He further demanded that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake take immediate action by removing Jayakody from his position. In a statement to the media, Abeywardena added: “When someone deeply corrupt is given a Ministerial post, aren’t issues like this inevitable? Doesn’t the President bear responsibility for this? The President must act immediately, cancel all these corrupt deals, and remove him from office.”

The CIABOC’s move comes at a time when several politicians including Ministers and Parliamentarians of the previous administrations are facing legal proceedings over corruption-related cases.