Sri Lanka’s government says it will wait for formal action from the country’s anti-corruption body before making a decision on the future of Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody, who is facing possible legal proceedings over past allegations of financial misconduct.
At the weekly Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday (19), Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said that no official notification had yet been received from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), and that the government would assess the situation if the Commission proceeds with filing a case.
“This is not something that arose during his time as a minister. The allegations relate to his service at a state institution between 2005 and 2015,” Dr. Jayatissa told reporters, referring to Jayakody’s role at a state-run fertiliser company.
Media reports suggest CIABOC is preparing to initiate action over an alleged Rs. 8 million tender-related misappropriation during that period.
The allegations have gained traction following a complaint submitted by the Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Haritha Sangvidhanaya, Sanka Chandima Abeywardena.
The complaint, which includes supporting documentation, accuses Minister Jayakody of corruption during his tenure at the fertiliser corporation and points to additional decisions as minister that allegedly caused further financial loss to the State.
Abeywardena has called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to dismiss Jayakody from office.
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