The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) is set to initiate legal proceedings against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody, according to a report by the Sunday Times.
The case stems from allegations of financial misconduct during his tenure at the Fertiliser Corporation in 2015, involving the misappropriation of Rs. 8 million.
CIABOC plans to file charges in the High Court against Minister Jayakody and two others linked to a controversial tender process. Jayakody, who chaired the tender board at the time, is accused of irregularities in payment procedures and bond placements, which triggered the investigation. The Sunday Times notes that earlier probes into the matter have now been revisited, leading to the current legal action.
This marks the first instance of a minister from the current government facing corruption charges. The issue was earlier raised in Parliament by Batticaloa District ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, who alleged that an individual implicated in financial fraud at the Fertiliser Corporation was serving in the National People’s Power (NPP) Cabinet.
The action against Jayakody follows a series of corruption cases pursued by CIABOC against former government ministers, reflecting ongoing efforts to address financial misconduct in public office.
