by Our Correspondent in Colombo
Sri Lanka is facing a deepening political crisis as Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody is set to resign from his post, citing ongoing legal proceedings against him. The decision comes amid mounting pressure from within the government, including influential leaders of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), following his indictment by the Colombo High Court on corruption charges.
Sources indicate that tensions escalated during a heated discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and senior JVP figures. Several key members reportedly refused to defend the minister despite appeals from the President to justify the allegations against him. After intense internal debate, the President is said to have agreed that Jayakody should step down until the conclusion of the legal proceedings.
The minister is expected to deliver a special statement in Parliament announcing his resignation in light of the ongoing court proceedings. His departure is anticipated just moments before a no-confidence motion against him is scheduled to be debated tomorrow in Parliament.
The Bribery Commission of Sri Lanka has filed a case under Case No. HCB 481/2026 in the Colombo High Court, accusing Jayakody of corruption under Section 70B of the Bribery Act. The allegations stem from his tenure at the Fertilizer Corporation in 2015, where he is accused of facilitating financial advantages to a private company while serving as Chairman of the Tender Board overseeing a contract that was already under investigation. After reviewing written submissions from his legal team, the Commission decided to proceed with formal charges.
Meanwhile, a separate controversy has emerged following the release of a critical audit report by the National Audit Office on coal imports. Presented to Parliament shortly after the President publicly denied any irregularities, the report reveals significant financial losses and procedural failures throughout the procurement process.
The audit findings indicate that substandard coal imports led to losses of approximately Rs. 224 million, with individual shipments incurring damages exceeding Rs. 300 million in several cases. The report highlights that the coal consistently failed to meet the required calorific value of 6150 kcal/kg, severely affecting the efficiency of power generation.
It further estimates that due to the inability to utilize the full 300 megawatts capacity, Sri Lanka may need to generate an additional 76 million kilowatt-hours of energy from alternative sources, placing further strain on the national grid.
Additionally, the report notes that penalties exceeding Rs. 233 crore could be recovered from suppliers due to quality failures. It also criticizes the Lanka Coal Company for failing to take corrective measures, including neglecting opportunities to re-test coal shipments and address quality concerns.
The audit also exposes violations of procurement fairness, revealing that a supplier was allowed to participate without properly completing registration requirements or paying the necessary fees, while other potential bidders were denied equal opportunity.
