• Alleges forged doc in PSRS DG extension imbroglio 

The Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA) is to lodge a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) seeking an investigation into an alleged case of document forgery involving Energy Ministry Secretary Prof. Udayanga Hemapala.

The move follows Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody’s directive to withdraw a disputed letter regarding the appointment of Pubudu Niroshan as the Director General (DG) of the Power Sector Reforms Secretariat (PSRS).

ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika told The Daily Morning that Jayakody, in his letter to Prof. Hemapala, had clearly said that he had not approved the extension of Niroshan’s service. Dhammika said that if Jayakody had not given such approval, then, Prof. Hemapala’s act of claiming otherwise amounts to the forgery of an official document.

“This Government’s policy is to eliminate corruption and irregularities, and this incident falls under that category. Therefore, the CID should investigate this immediately and take necessary action. We will file a complaint with the CID during the course of this week,” he said.

Attempts to contact Ministry Secretary Prof. Hemapala and the Minister Kumara Jayakody regarding the allegations made were unsuccessful.

Jayakody’s directive came after a letter dated 15 October 2025, issued by Prof. Hemapala, claimed that Jayakody had approved Niroshan’s appointment. However, Jayakody later clarified that no such approval had been given, stressing that any claim to the contrary was a serious misrepresentation. He also reminded that under Section 38(2)(b) of the Electricity Act as amended, the authority to appoint the DG of the PSRS lies solely with the Energy Minister.