Lal Kantha rejects Ranjan Jayalal’s remarks on gifts, says party will reprimand him

November 11, 2026 at 5:23 PM
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By Newswire Editorial

Minister K.D. Lal Kantha has rejected Kaduwela Mayor Ranjan Jayalal’s remarks which appeared to encourage private companies to provide festive gift parcels to public-sector employees.

Responding to Jayalal’s controversial remarks, Minister Lal Kantha said the Bribery Act contains provisions prohibiting public officials from accepting gifts, stressing that even a cup of tea could be considered a bribe under certain circumstances.

He urged public officials and elected representatives not to accept gift hampers or other benefits during the upcoming festive season.

Lal Kantha said Jayalal’s statement was completely incorrect and did not reflect the position of either the government or the party.

He said the party would reprimand Jayalal and advise him against making similar statements in the future.

However, the Minister clarified that the remarks were not serious enough to warrant Jayalal’s removal from the party or his position as Mayor.

Lal Kantha also said the statement did not necessarily indicate that Jayalal had accepted a bribe, but added that there was nothing preventing anyone from requesting or initiating an investigation into the matter.

The controversy arose after Jayalal, speaking at an event in Arangala, Malabe, on Sunday (8), encouraged private companies to continue sending their customary year-end gift parcels to municipal council employees and other public-sector workers.

Jayalal claimed that some companies had stopped providing such gifts following the change in administration and encouraged them to resume the practice.

He said public-sector employees also enjoyed receiving food, drinks and other products, suggesting that companies should continue their customary December distributions.

The remarks raised concerns over the acceptance of gifts from private businesses by public officials, particularly where such companies may have dealings with government institutions. (Newswire)