In the wake of Energy Minister Eng. Kumara Jayakody’s directive to withdraw the disputed letter concerning the appointment of the Director General of the Power Sector Reforms Secretariat (PSRS), Pubudu Niroshan, the Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA) stated that immediate action should be taken against the Energy Ministry Secretary, Prof. Udayanga Hemapala, over the alleged forgery of an official document.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika said that Minister Jayakody, in his letter to the Ministry Secretary, had said that he had not granted approval for extending Niroshan’s service. Dhammika added that if the minister had not given such approval, then what Secretary Hemapala had done by claiming that the minister had approved it amounts to document forgery.

“The majority of Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) employees have opposed Niroshan continuing as the Director General of the PSRS. During recent discussions between trade unions and the minister, certain agreements had been reached regarding this matter. In that context, for what purpose did the Ministry Secretary act in this manner? This is a serious offence. The Criminal Investigation Department should investigate the matter and the Government should take action against the Ministry Secretary,” he said.

Attempts to contact Prof. Hemapala proved futile. 

Jayakody’s directive follows a letter dated 15 October 2025 and issued by Prof. Hemapala, which claimed that the minister had approved the appointment. The minister clarified that no such approval had been granted, emphasising that any contrary claim constitutes a serious misrepresentation. “In accordance with Section 38(2)(b) of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act (as amended), the authority to appoint the Director General of the PSRS lies solely with the Energy Minister,” he noted.