The Hon. Ajith P. Perera

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, I move the following motion of no-confidence against the Minister of Energy, Hon. Kumara Jayakody, signed by Members including Hon. Sajith Premadasa, Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Hon. Gayantha Karunathilake, Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi, Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, myself, and others, on the following grounds:

¶ 02 - Breach of the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament (Part II, Clause 6): Members must act in accordance with the public trust reposed in them; their conduct, including the use of public resources, must be honest and consistent. - Breach of Code (Part V, Clause 9): (a) acting in accordance with conscience; (b) acting so as to be worthy of public trust and respect; (c) being accountable for one’s conduct and responsibilities. - Failure, as a Cabinet Minister, to fulfil fundamental duties under Article 28 of the Constitution. - Failure to ensure adequate and quality coal supply for Lakvijaya (Norochcholai) Coal Power Plant, a core ministerial duty. - Neglect of responsibilities assigned by Gazette Extraordinary No. 2412/08 of 25.11.2024: to minimize institutional-level losses and technical damage to the generation/distribution system; reduce generation costs; and remove uncertainties in generation. - While serving as Procurement Manager of Lanka Fertilizer Company, he has been indicted before the High Court of Colombo under Section 70 of the Bribery Act for the offence of “corruption,” as per a case instituted by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). - Consequently, due to State financial loss, endangering national energy security, corrupt procurement handling, being subject to active court proceedings for “corruption,” and betraying the Government’s anti-corruption mandate, the Minister has irretrievably lost the confidence of Parliament and the People of Sri Lanka; his continued tenure is contrary to public interest, rule of law and good governance.

¶ 03 Therefore, this Parliament resolves that it has no confidence in Hon. Kumara Jayakody continuing as a Minister of the Cabinet.

¶ 04 Hon. Speaker, we earlier warned of problems in the 2025–2026 coal procurement for Norochcholai. Before the first vessel arrived, we highlighted the serious risks and potential losses. When the first vessel did arrive, we pointed out it was substandard and delayed beyond schedule, foretelling imminent harm. The Minister said there was no problem; though the coal was weak, no loss would occur and it could be fixed.

¶ 05 On 27.02.2026, at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), at the Committee’s request, presented a detailed, technical report stating that coal from nine vessels received was substandard and that losses would result; that a significant gap existed between any penalties and the real loss; and quantified loss for those nine vessels at Rs. 8.49 billion (Rs. 849 crore) based on then diesel costs (Rs. 62.50 per unit equivalent).

¶ 06 Despite this, the Minister repeatedly claimed no fraud and a proper tender process. Subsequently, on 02.04.2026, the Auditor General presented a report to Parliament confirming that the coal was substandard, the tender process was flawed, the selection methodology was improper, and the selected company lacked qualifications and capacity. The report also notes the Minister’s insensitivity to the emerging crisis despite warnings in Parliament and public discourse. To date, he has not credibly refuted the Auditor General’s findings.

¶ 07 Separately, the Minister previously served as Procurement Manager at Lanka Fertilizer under then Agriculture Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake—a political appointment—during which CIABOC has now filed indictment HCB 481/2026 in the High Court under Section 70 of the Bribery Act for “corruption.” Under Westminster traditions, a Minister so indicted for corruption should resign immediately to safeguard the Government’s honour and the anti-corruption mandate. He has not.

¶ 08 Accordingly, we move this House to adopt the no-confidence motion against the Minister of Energy.