Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa has urged the government to hold Provincial Council elections, insisting that only the ballot box, not commissioned surveys, can reveal true public opinion. 

Speaking to reporters at the SLPP headquarters on Nelum Mawatha, Rajapaksa said elections were the most reliable test of voter confidence in the President and the government, and questioned whether the administration was prepared to face the electorate. 

Rajapaksa emphasized that an election was the only reliable way to test how much support the President and the government genuinely commanded among voters.

He said the surest method of establishing the true level of public approval enjoyed by the government was through the ballot box, whose findings, he claimed, the government itself was reluctant to act upon.

Rajapaksa accused the government of reneging on the promises it had made on assuming office, pointing out that even its own survey data showed that more than half the population was under severe strain from the rising cost of living and food shortages.

He further warned that any attempt to push through constitutional amendments unilaterally, in defiance of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, the Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association, the Asian Lawyers’ Association, members of the judiciary in the lower courts, and the public, was destined to fail.

Rajapaksa urged the current leadership to heed the fate of past governments that had disregarded public sentiment in similar fashion.

With regard to national security, he referred to previous bomb attacks on the Kataragama Perahera and the Sri Dalada Maligawa, noting that governments of the time had nonetheless ensured the safety of those events through direct intervention and allowed the festivities to proceed.

He said that if organised criminal elements were allowed to dictate whether religious and cultural processions could continue, it would call into question the very legitimacy of a government, adding that the state bore full responsibility for protecting kavadi and dance performers, elephants, temple officials and devotees alike.

Rajapaksa said his party held no discussions in secret and would engage openly and transparently with any party, including the opposition.

He added that the SLPP remained open to forming alliances with groups that shared its ideology and were guided by national interest rather than personal gain, and that his central task going forward was to rebuild a strong political force by drawing back those who had drifted away from the party. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa has cast doubt on survey findings that claim 75% of citizens support the President, pointing out that such figures contradict reports stating that half the country is starving.

“Now there is a report saying half the country is starving. But 75% support the President. Which is true? Either the starvation report is false, because a starving person cannot say he supports Anura Kumara if he has no way to eat three meals. Otherwise, the person who made that report must be lying,” he said, speaking at a meeting in the Puttalam electorate on July 19.

Rajapaksa went on to criticize the government, accusing it of misleading the public with false promises and failing to address economic hardships. 

He argued that the current administration had abandoned cultural and religious values, burdened citizens with excessive taxes, and neglected pressing issues such as the shortage of medicines and rising dengue cases in the Western Province.

He contrasted this with the SLPP’s record, claiming that under Mahinda Rajapaksa’s leadership, taxes were reduced, jobs were protected even during COVID, and infrastructure projects such as Port City, Nelum Kuluna, and highways were delivered.

Rajapaksa further alleged that the government is suppressing dissent by targeting state workers, entrepreneurs, religious leaders, and citizens, while protecting allies. 

“If they think they can rule for 20 years by intimidation, they are wrong. We ruled for 10 years by working. To rule for 20 years, you must work for 100. We must build a country suitable for future generations. We believe we can create a nation that respects culture, humanity, and the environment, and build a modern political force,” Rajapaksa said. 

He urged supporters to unite politically at grassroots level to build a force against what he described as a corrupt and repressive administration. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa has urged regional leaders to embrace the “Indian Ocean Century,” positioning Sri Lanka as a trusted bridge linking Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Speaking at the Global Economic Cooperation (GEC) East Summit in Singapore, Rajapaksa joined a panel alongside Curtis S. Chin, Chair of Senior Fellows at the Milken Institute and former U.S. Ambassador to the Asian Development Bank. 

The session was convened under the Future Economic Cooperation Council (FECC) Satellite Convening.

Rajapaksa emphasized that the Indian Ocean’s role in connecting civilizations for centuries must now evolve to connect the future.

“We are not entering the decade of the Indian Ocean. We are entering the century of the Indian Ocean,” he declared, underscoring Sri Lanka’s strategic location and its potential to serve as a hub for global cooperation.

Highlighting the importance of preparing youth for tomorrow’s jobs, Rajapaksa called for empowering the next generation through innovation, collaboration, and initiative. 

He stressed that Sri Lanka’s future lies in equipping young people with skills for emerging industries rather than traditional roles.

The GEC East Summit brought together policymakers, economists, and thought leaders to explore pathways for global economic cooperation. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa says the government’s response to the Negombo prison tragedy demonstrates that the promised “system change” has failed, arguing that true accountability would have required the subject minister to resign.

“If the system had changed, the minister would have stepped down. This is not the system change the people voted for,” Rajapaksa said, addressing the Parliament onTuesday (07). 

He maintained that the subject minister must accept responsibility for the incident, which claimed the lives of 27 people, including seven prison officers, while around 150 others were hospitalized.

“The minister cannot simply say, ‘I take responsibility and will look into it later,’ and walk away. Responsibility demands action,” Rajapaksa said.

He also criticized the government for failing to make a formal statement in Parliament accepting responsibility for the tragedy.

“Twenty-seven people have died and around 150 are in hospital. Yet, to date, no responsible statement has been made to this House. The government owes Parliament and the country an explanation,” he said.

Rajapaksa argued that the prison unrest was the result of long-standing structural failures that the current administration had failed to address despite being in office for nearly two years. 

He said recommendations made after the 2020 prison incident, including expanding prison capacity, recruiting additional prison officers, rehabilitating minor drug offenders, and constructing a new prison, had been ignored.

He went on to note that while Sri Lanka’s prison system was designed to accommodate around 10,000 to 12,000 inmates, it is currently holding nearly 40,000 to 45,000 detainees, creating severe overcrowding and increasing the risk of violence.

Rajapaksa further questioned what concrete measures the government had taken to speed up forensic reports, reduce the number of remand prisoners, appoint a permanent Commissioner General of Prisons, and strengthen prison administration.

“The people voted for a system change built on responsibility and accountability. What they are witnessing today is not a new system, but a continuation of the old one. The minister must accept responsibility, make a full statement to Parliament, and be held accountable for this tragedy,” he said.

Beyond the prison crisis, he accused the government of failing to respond effectively to a series of national challenges, including the aftermath of Cyclone Ditva, the worsening dengue outbreak, shortages of essential medicines in hospitals, and delays in supplying fertilizer to farmers.

He claimed that more than 50 people had died from dengue this year while hospitals remained overcrowded with patients, adding that preventive action was being delayed until outbreaks reached critical levels.

Turning to agriculture, Rajapaksa said farmers continued to struggle with fertilizer shortages despite repeated government assurances, forcing many to buy fertilizer from the private sector at significantly higher prices. 

He also criticized the government’s rice import policy, saying it undermined local farmers while imported rice was being distributed to public servants on an installment basis.

Concluding his speech, Rajapaksa urged the government to abandon political rhetoric and demonstrate genuine accountability. (Newswire)

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SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa has written to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa urging him to convene a meeting of all political parties that value democracy to discuss the Government’s proposed move to extend the retirement age of Supreme Court judges.

In his letter dated July 7, Rajapaksa claimed the Government is attempting to extend the tenure of superior court judges without any acceptable or justifiable reason, warning that such a move could undermine the rule of law and negatively impact Sri Lanka’s democratic process.

He noted that the proposal has already drawn criticism and opposition from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association and LAWASIA.

Rajapaksa said that, given the concerns raised by these legal bodies, all political parties committed to upholding democracy and the rule of law should unite in opposing the proposal.

He requested Premadasa, in his capacity as Opposition Leader, to convene a discussion involving all democratic political parties on the issue.

Rajapaksa also suggested inviting leaders of all political parties that have been represented in Parliament, as well as other political leaders considered appropriate, to participate in the proposed meeting. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa has criticised the government over its economic policies, claiming it had failed to deliver on promises made to the public and had instead reduced people to purchasing rice on installments.

Addressing a meeting of SLPP constituency organisers at the party headquarters on Nelum Mawatha, Rajapaksa said the government, which had earlier promised that a Toyota Vitz car could be purchased for Rs. 1.2 million and pledged to introduce schemes for young people to buy Japanese motorcycles, had now reached the stage of offering 20 kilograms of rice through a payment scheme.

“Is this the change the people expected?” he questioned.

Rajapaksa said Sri Lanka had once been self-sufficient in rice production and recalled that there had been a surplus of paddy during the administration of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He also claimed that fertiliser had been available at Rs. 350 during that period, whereas farmers today were facing shortages of fertiliser and low prices for their harvests.

He accused the government of further undermining local farmers by importing vegetables and fruits during domestic harvesting seasons.

Rajapaksa urged party organisers to stand with rural communities, alleging that the current administration viewed political opponents as enemies. He further alleged that farmers demanding better paddy prices and fertiliser, trade unions campaigning for their rights, and professionals such as doctors and lawyers protesting over their concerns were being branded as criminals.

Rajapaksa said the opposition had a responsibility to speak on behalf of farmers, fishermen, entrepreneurs, professionals and youth facing economic hardships.

He also expressed concern over the fishing industry, claiming that fishermen could no longer sustain their livelihoods due to high fuel costs and inadequate government support. He further criticised the government for importing salt, saying the country had been reduced to relying on imports for products that were once produced locally.

Referring to a recent incident in the Kegalle District, Rajapaksa questioned police action against a group of youths allegedly linked to a drug investigation. He claimed that innocent youths had been arrested while those responsible for bringing in drugs had escaped action, alleging that the law was being selectively enforced to serve political objectives.

Rajapaksa called on SLPP organisers to strengthen the party and continue engaging with the public despite political challenges, saying the party was rebuilding itself as a strong political force. (Newswire)

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The Colombo High Court today directed that summons be issued to two Indian witnesses in the Krrish transaction case filed against MP Namal Rajapaksa.

The order was made by High Court Judge Nadee Aparna Suwandurugoda, who instructed that the summons be sent under the procedure outlined by the Judicial Service Commission for foreign witnesses.

The ruling followed a notification from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) that the two witnesses could not be contacted.

The case stems from charges filed by the Attorney General alleging that Namal Rajapaksa committed criminal breach of trust by obtaining Rs. 70 million from the Indian Krrish company, purportedly for the promotion of rugby in Sri Lanka. (Newswire) 

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa has accused the government of double standards in applying the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), following the arrest of a young artist from Kilinochchi over alleged LTTE‑related content in a rap song.

Rajapaksa said the move raises “serious concerns about double standards under the current government,” noting that similar LTTE‑themed songs were used by National People’s Power (NPP) politicians during the recent local government election campaign without consequence.

“A Jaffna District NPP MP reportedly shared such songs openly on social media for political benefit. Where were the Police then? Where was the PTA then?” he asked.

While stressing that the LTTE remains a banned terrorist organization and that he does not support anyone glorifying it, Rajapaksa argued that accountability must apply equally.

“One rule for politicians and another for ordinary youth is unacceptable in a democratic society,” he said in a post on X.

He warned that if the government believes such actions are unlawful, enforcement must be consistent; otherwise, the arrest will be seen as a selective abuse of power. (Newswire)

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The Colombo High Court today scheduled the case filed against Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa over the controversial Krrish transaction to be taken up for trial on July 7, 2026.

The case, filed by the Attorney General, was mentioned before the court this morning, where the pre‑trial conference was concluded. 

Following this, High Court judges ordered that the matter be listed for trial in July.

The Attorney General has filed charges alleging that Namal Rajapaksa committed criminal breach of trust by obtaining Rs. 70 million from the Indian Krrish company, purportedly for the promotion of rugby in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa addressed the 2026 Asian Cultural Public Welfare Forum in Hong Kong on Friday (15), urging Asian nations to pursue modernization without losing cultural identity.

Rajapaksa highlighted Asia’s growing role in the global economy, projected to contribute 60% of global GDP growth by 2030, and posed critical questions about whether modernization would erode values, weaken identity, or harm nature.

Drawing on Sri Lanka’s civilizational heritage, he emphasized the ancient model of sustainability rooted in the “Tank, Stupa, Village, and Temple” system, and praised his father, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, for translating that balance into modern policy.

“Mindful action is the way to endure. Carelessness is the road to failure,” he quoted from the Dhammapada, stressing that leaders must protect irreplaceable traditions and ecosystems while embracing innovation.

Rajapaksa underscored the importance of “Public Welfare Innovation” through technology such as AI, telemedicine, and renewable energy, but warned that technology without morality risks inequality and division. 

He called for Asia to lead not only economically but also morally and culturally, noting that the strength of a civilization is measured by the dignity afforded to its people and the legacy left for future generations.

Full statement by SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa;

It is a privilege to join you today at the 2026 Asian Cultural Public Welfare Forum. I thank the organizers for bringing us together in Hong Kong not just to discuss growth or technology, but to ask how civilizations can work together to create societies that are guided by values. Today, Asia stands at a defining moment. The global balance is shifting eastward.

By 2030, our continent is projected to be the single most influential driver of the global economy contributing approximately 60% of all global GDP growth. But as we rise, a simple question remains: What kind of civilization will we become? Will modernization weaken our identity? Will technology serve humanity or replace it? Will economic ambition protect nature or destroy it? They are civilizational questions.

I come from Sri Lanka. A nation known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. Not only for our beauty or our location, but because we stand as an ancient civilizational heart with twenty-five centuries of recorded history. Our greatest achievements came when development worked in harmony with civilization.

Two thousand years ago, our kings built massive irrigation systems and reservoirs. They were not built for prestige. They were built for Public Welfare. To ensure water security. Food security. Stability. Our ancestors understood a truth that the modern world sometimes forgets: Sustainability is our civilizational inheritance.

In Sri Lanka, we call this the four-fold wisdom: “වැවයි, දාගැබයි, ගමයි, පන්සලයි” The Tank. The Stupa. The Village. The Temple. The Tank represented shared resources. The Village represented shared lives. The Stupa represented shared values. And the Temple represented shared knowledge. They were not separate institutions. They were one system. Infrastructure created belonging. Belonging created resilience. This remains our North Star.

Leaders, such as my father, Mahinda Rajapaksa translated this ancient balance into modern policy He was a visionary leader who understood that a nation must look to the future without forgetting its past. He is the leader who transformed the Sri Lankan skyline building the ports, the highways, and the modern cities that connected us to the global economy. But even as he built the skyline, he never lost sight of the ground. He championed a model where village empowerment and social welfare are a single, unified mission for the nation. He proved that modernization does not have to come at the cost of identity.

Today, Asia faces a different world. Climate change. Digital inequality. Millions of young people demand opportunity. We cannot reject modernization. But we must pursue development with balance. In the Dhammapada, it is said, අප්පමාදෝ අමතපදං, පමාදෝ මච්චුනෝ පදං In its simplest sense, this means Mindful action is the way to endure. Carelessness is the road to failure In leadership, this means we must act with total awareness We must have the courage to protect what is irreplaceable.

In Sri Lanka, Sri Pada—Adam’s Peak—is one such place. For centuries,  Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, and Muslims have climbed the mountain as an act of faith. It is a sacred site and a fragile ecosystem. As leaders, we must ask: How do we grow without losing our soul? Not every forest should become infrastructure. Not every sacred site should be transformed for convenience. 

We must embrace change But only when that change aligns with our values and our traditions. This is why Public Welfare Innovation is vital. Technology is now a strategic domain. AI. Telemedicine. Renewable energy. When a child in a rural village accesses education online, that is technology for good. When digital healthcare reaches remote communities, that is welfare innovation. But technology without morality creates inequality and division. 

This is where Asian civilizations must contribute to the modern world. We teach balance. Between ambition and responsibility. Between innovation and humanity. One of the greatest risks today is that societies become materially advanced but emotionally disconnected. Connected digitally, but isolated socially. Culture is the cure. Culture preserves values. It gives our youth identity in a rapidly changing world. My generation will inherit enormous pressure. We must manage AI, climate change, and geopolitics.

Therefore, young leadership in Asia must think not only about elections, but about generations. We have an opportunity to create an Asian development model where modernization does not destroy heritage, where growth includes public welfare, and where civilizations connect through cooperation. For centuries, trade routes and spiritual traditions connected India, Sri Lanka, China, and the Middle East. Today, that spirit must return.

The challenges we face climate change, economic instability do not stop at borders. Asia must cooperate civilizationally. This will determine whether Asia merely grows or truly leads. Ultimately, the strength of a civilization is not measured by military power. It is measured by the quality of life of its people. By the dignity we afford the vulnerable. And by the world we leave for our children. That is the responsibility before us. Asia is capable of more than economic leadership. We are ready for moral, cultural, and civilizational leadership in the century ahead. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa has insisted that the $2.5 million Treasury debt diversion scandal cannot be dismissed as a “technical error,” stressing that it raises serious questions of public finance accountability under the Public Finance Management Act No. 44 of 2024.

In a post on X, Rajapaksa pointed out that under Sections 4 and 28 of the Act, the Minister of Finance is responsible for fiscal oversight and authorising expenditure warrants, while under Sections 5, 29 and 36, the Secretary to the Treasury is tasked with operational control and safeguarding computerized public financial systems.

He argued that if warnings were raised and an unsecured system was still used to handle public funds, accountability cannot be separated between policy approval and administrative execution, and both levels must be examined.

“This is now a test of consistency and transparency in governance: will the same standards of accountability that are publicly stated be applied equally when a complaint is formally made, and names arise in an investigation?” Rajapaksa wrote.

He further recalled President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s statement on May 12 that if a person’s name arises in an investigation, a statement must be recorded “even from the President himself,” adding that no one is above the law.

“That principle must now be applied uniformly, without exception or delay,” Rajapaksa said. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa has alleged that more than Rs. 800 million has been lost due to financial irregularities, claiming that the President, Finance Ministry officials, and the Central Bank have failed to act.

Speaking to journalists in Horana, Rajapaksa said the amount involved “could increase further if converted at current exchange rates,” while questioning why no corrective action had been taken despite prior warnings reportedly given to the President by the Finance Minister in January.

“More than eighty crores have been stolen, but the President, the Finance Secretary, the Finance Ministry and the Central Bank are still sleeping,” he said, adding that the government had failed in its oversight responsibilities.

He also criticised what he described as a lack of accountability within state institutions, alleging that public confidence was weakening amid repeated incidents of financial misconduct across sectors.

Rajapaksa further accused the government of attempting to suppress political criticism, claiming that opposition voices were being compelled to answer allegations instead of those in power providing clear explanations.

Commenting on broader governance issues, he said the administration had failed to deliver on economic and infrastructure promises, including railway modernisation, while instead focusing on political rhetoric.

Rajaoaksa also referred to ongoing political debates on national security and sovereignty issues, insisting that separatism had no space in the country.

The MP made the remarks amid growing political exchanges between the government and opposition over economic management and institutional accountability. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa extended congratulations to Indian actor‑turned‑politician C. Joseph Vijay, calling his victory in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Election 2026 a “resounding” one.

In a post on ‘X’, Namal wished Vijay and his team the strength to overcome challenges and deliver tangible benefits to the people.

He also expressed hope for a stronger and more positive relationship between Sri Lanka and India, particularly on issues affecting citizens of both nations.

“My very best wishes to you and your team,” Namal added, tagging Vijay’s official account.

The congratulatory message follows Vijay’s electoral success, with his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerging as the largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Election 2026. (Newswire)

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Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has not been informed yet by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) to report to the Commission, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa said.

“He has not received the letter yet,” Namal said, responding to questions raised by journalists on when the former President will appear before the Bribery Commission.

Namal further said that this information was revealed to the media either by the NPP office in Pelawatte or the President’s Office in Colombo. 

“However, this has not been informed via a written letter to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa yet. This was informed at a May day rally, so it is a political summons,” he said. 

Stating that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) will decide whether former President Mahinda rajapaksa should be arrested or not, he added that Mahinda Rajapaksa has faced many obstacles and that they were ready to face them. (Newswire)

“Even though the government told the media, Mahinda Rajapaksa hasn’t received a letter yet,” MP Namal Rajapaksa on former president Mahinda Rajapaksa being summoned to the Bribery Commission. pic.twitter.com/f85zAdNylx

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) May 4, 2026

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa has strongly condemned the brutal assault of a Sri Lankan fisherman in Tamil Nadu, describing the incident as “deeply alarming” and calling for urgent government intervention.

Rajapaksa said the fisherman was attacked by Tamil Nadu fishermen, even in the presence of local police, and urged authorities to ensure his immediate safety and secure his swift return home. 

“This incident also underscores the urgent need for stronger border control measures to better protect our fishermen from the Northern Province,” he said in a statement on ‘X’. 

Rajapaksa further accused Tamil Nadu politicians of exploiting Sri Lankan Tamil issues for political gain while remaining silent when Sri Lankan fishermen are attacked on Tamil Nadu soil. (Newswire)

Disturbing scenes of an our fisherman being brutally assaulted by fishermen from Tamil Nadu is deeply alarming. Such acts of violence are unacceptable. I strongly urge the government to intervene without delay, ensure his immediate safety, and take all necessary steps to secure… pic.twitter.com/lhBSzVVWRb

— Namal Rajapaksa (@RajapaksaNamal) April 28, 2026

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The Colombo High Court has ordered that the case filed against Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa in connection with the transaction with the Indian Krrish Company be recalled on May 29.

The order was issued when the case was taken up today (23) before High Court Judge Nadee Aparna Suwandurugoda, with SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa present in court.

The Attorney General has filed charges alleging that Rajapaksa committed criminal breach of trust by obtaining Rs. 70 million from the Indian Krrish company, purportedly for the promotion of rugby in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa has accused the government of politicising investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks, alleging selective action and misplaced blame.

Speaking to journalists in Colombo on Monday (20), Rajapaksa claimed that individuals linked to funding aspects of the attacks, including a National List figure identified as Ibrahim, were being shielded while authorities continued to target others.

He criticised what he described as inconsistencies in the investigation, pointing to the arrest of former minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan in connection with the attacks, while also being produced in court over a separate murder case.

Stating that former intelligence chief Suresh Sallay had been arrested and questioned, Rajapaksa further questioned the credibility of those conducting the inquiries.

He alleged that key intelligence warnings before the Easter attacks had been ignored by certain officials, who were now involved in the ongoing investigations.

The MP also rejected claims linking the Rajapaksa family to the attacks, arguing that responsibility should instead be directed at those directly connected to the perpetrators.

He maintained that releasing property and failing to act against individuals allegedly linked to financing the attackers undermined the credibility of the probe, and urged authorities to conduct a fair and impartial investigation. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa has sharply criticized the resignation of Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody, calling it “a bit too late” in the wake of the massive coal procurement scandal.

Rajapaksa noted that Parliament had already spent an entire day debating a No Confidence Motion against Jayakody, only for all National People’s Power (NPP) MPs to vote against it. 

He argued that this amounted to ignoring and effectively supporting the corruption allegations tied to the coal deal, which has cost the country millions of rupees.

“The Minister’s resignation does not cover up or compensate the people for the money already lost. Ultimately, it is the consumer who bears the brunt of this massive scam,” Rajapaksa said in a statement posted on X.

He further questioned whether President Anura Kumara Dissanayake would take responsibility for appointing Jayakody to such a powerful portfolio despite his history of corruption allegations. 

Rajapaksa pointed out that the President continued to defend Jayakody even after the Board of Inquiry (BoI) commenced a probe into the scandal.

“The President should be held directly responsible for the coal scam, which has cost consumers heavily, as he protected Jayakody for over a year, even after the scandal was exposed,” Rajapaksa asserted.

Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody tendered his resignation yesterday (17) to allow a transparent investigation into the substandard coal imports by a special Presidential Commission appointed by the President. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer, MP Namal Rajapaksa, says the party will move forward while learning from past mistakes, highlighting the need for reflection, cultural preservation, and youth empowerment.

He made these remarks while speaking to the media after participating in New Year rituals at Carlton House in Tangalle.

Extending New Year wishes, Namal said the Sinhala and Tamil New Year is a shared cultural heritage that must be protected and passed on to future generations.

He said that the country is facing a challenging period, but expressed confidence that it could be overcome with unity and a positive outlook.

“We must understand that everyone makes mistakes, learn from them, and move forward,” he said, adding that society should also recognize and acknowledge past errors while preserving cultural values.

Namal further highlighted the importance of guiding the younger generation and creating opportunities for them to contribute to national development, saying there is a growing concern over declining trust in youth.

Referring to different periods of unrest in the country’s history, he said isolated incidents should not be used to judge the entire youth population.

He added that Sri Lanka’s future depends on harnessing the talent of young people and strengthening national unity to build a better path forward. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser, MP Namal Rajapaksa, has called for the resignation of the Energy Minister, stating that such action should be taken without waiting for demands from the opposition.

Speaking to journalists in Colombo, Rajapaksa said it is only fair that accountability is upheld, especially when the government itself has acknowledged irregularities.

He alleged that ministers have admitted to importing low-cost coal, but warned that the financial burden would ultimately fall on the public. “The government says it is cheap, but who will bear the loss? It is the people,” he said, questioning the fairness of the situation.

Referring to earlier claims made by the ruling party that no individuals linked to them were involved in alleged corruption, he noted that the indictment of the Energy Minister contradicts those assertions.

“If that is the case, we should not wait for the opposition to call for it. The minister should resign,” he stressed. 

SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa’s comments refer to the indictments filed before the Colombo High Court against Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody on March 27, after which the court ordered his release on two sureties.

The charges stem from his tenure as Manager of the Production and Imports Division of Lanka Fertilizer Company in 2015. The Bribery Commission has accused him of unlawfully granting benefits to a private company during a procurement process for carpeting at the Hunupitiya warehouse complex. (Newswire)

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