Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Ajith P. Perera alleged in Parliament today that Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody is corrupt and a convicted financial criminal, and that the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption is preparing to indict him but is being prevented from doing so due to political pressure.
He further claimed that such a person had been appointed as a minister in charge of an institution worth more than one-third of the country’s economy, and alleged that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was linked to the coal tender controversy.
Ajith P. Perera began his speech as follows:
“Minister Kumara Jayakody, before the debate begins, I would like to know when you were appointed Minister of Energy, you had already been removed from your previous job over corruption in a tender. You lost your job. A case was filed against you. You were found guilty in that case. A complaint was also lodged with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, knowing all this, placed his trust in a long-time associate and appointed a person who had been accused by the Bribery Commission and convicted in court someone who had already lost his job , as the Minister of Energy, who is responsible for one-third of the country’s economy.
That is my question.”
At that point, Minister Kumara Jayakody rose and stated that the allegations were blatant lies and challenged Perera to prove them.
Following the minister’s response, MP Ajith P. Perera reiterated his claims.
He said the current Minister of Power and Energy had previously served as the official in charge of tenders at the Fertilizer Corporation, where corruption allegedly occurred, leading to the loss of his position. Perera further claimed that when the matter went to court, the case was decided against Jayakody.
He also stated that a complaint filed with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption remains active and alleged that when moves were made to file charges, political pressure had intervened to halt proceedings.
Perera emphasized that Minister Kumara Jayakody should resign from his post without bringing embarrassment to the government.
Responding to the allegations, Minister Kumara Jayakody again challenged Ajith P. Perera to substantiate the claims.
Addressing the House, Jayakody said:
“Honourable Speaker, those who spread lies are in this Opposition. If possible, prove that I left the institution over corruption. If possible, prove otherwise. Anyone can make accusations prove it if you can.”
