National People’s Power (NPP) MP Najith Indika says there was no reason to bring forth four witnesses requested by the opposition before the Parliamentary Special Committee investigating the release of 323 containers from the Colombo Port without mandatory physical inspection.

When inquired by Newswire, Indika revealed that the opposition could not provide valid reasons to summon the witnesses.

“At yesterday’s meeting we did not oppose the summoning of any witness. This is an investigative committee, and it has been conducting a systematic probe into the matter. New witnesses cannot simply be added outside of the procedure we have followed thus far. There must be clear relevance for summoning a witness. We therefore asked the opposition to establish the relevance of calling the four individuals. We conveyed that we are prepared to consent to summoning them if the opposition can submit their relevance to the investigation in the coming days or weeks, but they failed to establish the relevance,” he said. 

Indika acknowledged that a vote took place. “Ajith Perera’s claim that a request to summon four key witnesses was defeated in a vote is completely wrong,” he said, adding that political stunts would not be allowed to influence the process.

MP Najith Indika further alleged that the opposition was attempting to undermine the credibility of the Parliament Select Committee. 

His remarks come in response to earlier claims by Opposition MP Ajith P. Perera, who said a request to summon President and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake, former Ports Minister Bimal Ratnayake, former Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development was rejected by government members in a majority vote.

Opposition members argued that their testimony was vital to clarify questions surrounding the decision to release the 323 containers without mandatory inspection. In a letter dated April 7, 2026, addressed to Committee Chairman Harshana Nanayakkara, they formally requested the summoning of these witnesses.

MP Ajith Perera claimed that, however, government members rejected the request in a majority vote. (Newswire)

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Opposition MP Ajith P. Perera has revealed that a request made by committee members to summon four key witnesses before the Parliamentary Special Committee appointed to investigate the release of 323 containers from the Colombo Port without mandatory physical inspection was rejected today.

In a statement on social media, MP Perera said the request was rejected by government‑representing members through a majority vote. The committee is composed of 8 government MPs and 4 opposition MPs.

The witnesses proposed for testimony included Finance and Economic Development Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake, former Ports Minister Bimal Ratnayake, former Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. 

The opposition argued that their evidence was vital to clarify questions surrounding the decision to charter 323 containers from the Colombo Port without mandatory physical inspection.

In a letter dated April 7, 2026, addressed to Committee Chairman Harshana Nanayakkara, opposition members had formally requested the summoning of these witnesses. However, the government side voted down the proposal. (Newswire)

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Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ajith P. Perera says it is the responsibility of the President to decide whether a minister facing serious allegations should continue to hold the post of Minister of Energy.

Addressing the media yesterday (15), he stated that when former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella faced allegations regarding medicine purchases, Anura Kumara Dissanayake strongly raised his voice in Parliament demanding his removal from the ministerial post, and now he must act.

He added that when JVP MPs raised their voices in that manner, then President Ranil Wickremesinghe removed Keheliya Rambukwella from the post of Health Minister.

However, he charged that National People’s Power (NPP) General Secretary Nihal Abeysinghe has told the media that although serious charges have been levelled against the Minister of Energy, he has not been removed, and described this as a shameless statement.

Ajith P. Perera further said that if President Anura Kumara Dissanayake does not feel shaken by serious charges being levelled against a member of a group that preached about good governance and state integrity, then it raises a question about transparency. (Newswire)

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A group of Opposition MPs have joined a Parliamentary delegation to inspect the controversial coal consignment that recently arrived at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant.

In a video message, opposition MP Ajith P. Perera said that the team has arrived at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant on a fact-finding mission related to the controversial coal consignment. 

“There is an issue regarding the quality of the imported coal. Several issues stem from this substandard coal consignment, such as a reduction in the power generated and damage to the machinery, among others. The government has also acknowledged the issue. This is a serious issue as it relates to the security of the energy sector,” he said. 

MP Ajith P. Perera further said that the substandard coal has been imported due to alleged changes made to the importation conditions, adding that it was evident that regulations had been broken. 

Meanwhile, matters relating to coal imported to Sri Lanka for electricity generation were examined at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development.

According to a Parliament statement, this review took place when the Committee met in Parliament recently under the Chairmanship of MP S. M. Marikkar. Officials from the Ministry of Power and Energy and the Lanka Coal Company (Private) Limited were summoned to attend the Committee meeting.

During the meeting, the Committee sought clarifications from officials regarding the procedures followed in the coal importation process. Particular attention was paid to the procedures adopted during the most recent coal imports, and officials were questioned in detail on this matter.

The Chairman of the Committee inquired whether any issues had arisen concerning the quality of the coal most recently imported into the country. In response, officials informed the Committee that samples from three coal vessels that arrived in Sri Lanka had been sent to India for quality testing, and that accurate information could be provided once the relevant reports were received.

Accordingly, the matter was discussed at length during the Committee proceedings. The Chairman stated that the former Chairman of Lanka Coal (Private) Limited, who was involved in the processes related to the importation of these coal consignments, would be summoned before the Committee at its next meeting.

In addition, the Chairman instructed officials to submit to the Committee, on the same day of the next meeting, the quality reports of the coal in the three vessels that arrived in Sri Lanka, as well as the laboratory reports conducted in Sri Lanka on the quality of coal contained in the most recently arrived vessel. (Newswire)

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A sub-committee on energy affairs has been appointed under the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development.

According to a Parliament statement, the sub-committee on energy affairs will be chaired by MP Ajith P. Perera. 

This decision was made during a meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee, held under the chairmanship of MP S.M. Marikkar in Parliament yesterday (17). 

The sub-committee was appointed following the review of the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill by the committee.

Addressing the meeting, committee Chair MP S.M. Marikkar stated that the sub-committee is headed by  MP Ajith P. Perera, who has experience in the energy sector.

MP Marikkar further said that the sub-committee is expected to discuss the necessary matters and provide recommendations to take positive steps forward in Sri Lanka’s electricity and energy sectors. (Newswire)

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A heated verbal exchange took place between Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ajith P. Perera and National People’s Power (NPP) MP Lakmali Hemachandra over the private-sector salary increment proposed in the government’s 2025 Budget. 

Speaking during a televised debate, NPP MP Lakmali Hemachandra said that the government has received the consensus of private-sector stakeholders for a salary increment.

She further said that a nearly Rs. 9000 increment has been agreed to by the relevant private-sector stakeholders, which would be implemented in due time. 

Raising questions on the statement, MP Ajith P. Perera queried when the consensus had been reached and with whom, seeking clarification over the private-sector stakeholders mentioned by the government. 

“If there was no consensus, the private sector stakeholders have time to address this. We won’t tell you the date we reached the agreement. The salaries will be increased, that is all. Why would we tell you the date the agreement was reached?” Hemachandra responded. 

On being repeatedly questioned when the agreement had been reached with private-sector stakeholders, MP Lakmali Hemachandra said the details have been mentioned in the NPP government’s 2025 Budget.

NPP MP Lakmali Hemachandra further refused to respond stating that the government was not inclined to inform MP Perera of the specific details.

“We won’t tell you the date. This is such a strange question, and we won’t answer your question,” Hemachandra added. (Newswire)

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