CIABOC investigation follows complaints alleging misuse of state resources; Speaker’s office rejects accusations
Sri Lanka’s Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has launched a formal investigation into allegations made against Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, following complaints alleging possible misuse of public resources and other irregularities.
The inquiry was initiated after a complaint was submitted to the anti-corruption commission, with officials reportedly directing the Director General of CIABOC to conduct a full investigation under provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act.
The allegations were first raised by suspended Deputy Secretary General of Parliament and Chief of Staff Chaminda Kularatne, who had previously brought concerns regarding the Speaker’s conduct before Parliament. The matter later gained renewed attention following a formal complaint submitted by the Purawesi Hela Urumaya party.
The party’s General Secretary Upul Gammanpila submitted a seven-page complaint containing eight allegations and ten pieces of written evidence, calling for a comprehensive investigation into claims involving the alleged misuse of official facilities and state resources.
According to the complaint, the allegations include claims relating to the use of official residences, fuel allocations, vehicles, parliamentary equipment, and other facilities. The complainants have also raised concerns over the alleged use of parliamentary resources for purposes beyond official duties.
Among the issues cited by the complainants are claims that the Speaker received fuel allocations while holding multiple public positions, used official vehicles beyond permitted limits, and utilised equipment belonging to the Parliamentary Media Division for activities involving personal publicity.
The complaint also alleges irregularities concerning access to parliamentary catering facilities, the use of public funds for internal inquiries, and actions allegedly linked to limiting access to information requests.
Gammanpila said the investigation would serve as a test of CIABOC’s independence, noting that the complaint involved a senior constitutional office holder. He stressed that the move was intended as an anti-corruption measure rather than a political campaign against the government.
Opposition lawmakers have called for the Speaker’s resignation while the investigation proceeds, arguing that an independent inquiry should take place without the office holder remaining in position.
However, the Parliament Secretariat has rejected the allegations, stating that several claims made against the Speaker are inaccurate. Officials said the Speaker had voluntarily limited his fuel entitlement and that expenses related to his temporary residence were personally covered from his salary.
Supporters of the Speaker have also questioned the motives behind the complaint, describing it as a personal dispute and pointing to disciplinary action previously taken against Chaminda Kularatne over separate administrative issues.
The investigation remains ongoing, and no findings have yet been announced by CIABOC.