Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody was indicted on corruption charges before the Colombo High Court on Friday (March 27).
The charges were filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), with the court granting Jayakody bail on two sureties of Rs. 1 million each.
Jayakody is alleged to have caused a loss of nearly Rs. 9 million to the government in 2016 by granting undue benefits to a private company during a procurement process while serving as Manager of the Production and Imports Division of the Lanka Fertilizer Company.
No-Confidence Motion
The indictment follows a no-confidence motion filed against the minister by opposition MPs, calling for his removal from the Power and Energy portfolio.
The motion claims that Jayakody failed to discharge his primary duty as minister: ensuring the procurement of sufficient, quality coal for the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai.
It argues that this gross negligence in overseeing a critical national energy asset constitutes a fundamental breach of ministerial responsibility.
The motion also cites the formal charges against him by CIABOC as another reason for his removal.
President’s Position
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake recently told the media that he would sack Jayakody—or any minister—if they are indicted before a court for fraud committed through the use of ministerial powers.
He noted that the charges against Jayakody occurred in 2016, during his tenure as a public official, not as a minister.
President Dissanayake added that action will be taken against any individuals, regardless of status, if formal oversight bodies such as the Parliamentary Select Committee, the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), or CIABOC uncover corruption or fraud.
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