Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa today (27) explained the circumstances surrounding the suspension of Senior Advocate P.K.A. Chaminda Kumara Kularatne, who served as the Deputy Secretary General and Chief of Staff of Parliament.
The Minister was responding to a journalist’s question at the weekly Cabinet media briefing announcing Cabinet decisions.
Minister Jayatissa said that a one-man investigation committee had been appointed to inquire into the matter, with the approval of a Parliamentary Staff Committee in which the Chief Organizer of the Opposition represented the Opposition Leader. The decision to appoint the committee was made on August 19, 2025.
He noted that an officer from the Ministry of Public Administration was appointed to lead the investigation. The committee’s preliminary report was submitted to the Parliamentary Staff Committee on January 23, 2026.
According to the Minister, the committee was tasked with examining the appointment of the Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament, including the selection process, qualifications, confirmation in service, and related salary entitlements.
The investigation committee made two key recommendations. First, it recommended the suspension of Mr. Kularatne and the initiation of disciplinary action on charges of obtaining undue advantage and causing financial loss by acting contrary to public service regulations. These allegations include presenting false information to secure appointments and receiving salary entitlements to which he was not entitled.
Second, the committee recommended that the matter be referred to the Commission for the Investigation of Bribery or Corruption, stating that the actions in question may constitute offences under the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023.
Minister Jayatissa emphasized that the opposition was also represented in the committee that approved the investigation and subsequent actions. He added that any party dissatisfied with the findings has the right to seek judicial redress.
P.K.A. Chaminda Kumara Kularatne was formally suspended from his duties on January 23.
