- SJB plans to move no-faith motion against Minister
Following the filing of indictments by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody, the ruling National People's Power yesterday (9) said it would wait for the conclusion of the legal process before deciding on any political action.
Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (9), NPP General Secretary and Government MP Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe said the Party would not interfere with the ongoing investigation and would decide on its course of action only after the legal process has run its course.
“Let CIABOC handle it. They have a way of doing things and they will carry out their investigations. Once that process is concluded and the legal outcome is there, we can decide what we, as a Party, should do,” he said.
CIABOC recently filed charges under Section 70(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act, alleging that Jayakody committed an offence of corruption during his tenure as Deputy Procurement Manager at the State-owned Lanka Fertiliser Company Limited in 2016.
According to investigators, Jayakody is accused of facilitating an unlawful benefit to a private company in connection with a contract to supply carpets for warehouse premises belonging to the Company. The Commission claims that the procurement decision caused a financial loss to the Government exceeding Rs. 8.8 million.
The case is now before the Colombo High Court.
Meanwhile, the main Opposition, the SJB, has announced plans to move a no-confidence motion against the Minister. SJB MP and attorney Ajith P. Perera said last week that the Party intends to table the motion during the next Parliamentary week.
Jayakody is also facing separate allegations of corruption and irregularities in relation to a multi-billion-Rupee coal procurement tender for the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai in 2026, further intensifying political pressure on the Energy Ministry.
With both legal and political challenges mounting, the coming weeks are expected to test the Government’s stance on accountability as proceedings unfold in court and Parliament alike.