Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe has instructed the Department of Labour to carry out a comprehensive inquiry and submit a detailed report on the operations of the restaurant chain.
The directive follows Wickramanayake’s arrest by Maharagama Police on June 30. The arrest came after a CCTV video dated May 5 allegedly showing him verbally abusing and physically assaulting an employee at one of the outlets went viral on social media, triggering widespread public backlash. He is due to be produced before the Gangodawila Magistrate’s Court.
The Ministry has widened its investigation beyond the alleged assault, focusing on possible violations of labour regulations. Officials have been instructed to examine whether the company has complied with legal obligations, including the payment of Employee Provident Fund (EPF) and Employee Trust Fund (ETF) contributions for employees.
The “Mr. Kottu” chain operates 12 outlets islandwide, and labour officers are set to conduct inspections at each branch to assess working conditions and gather feedback from employees regarding workplace grievances or potential industrial disputes.
Authorities have also received reports of recent branch closures, prompting further investigation into whether affected employees were provided with legally mandated compensation.
The Department of Labour has been given until July 7, 2026, to complete the inquiry and submit its findings to the Deputy Minister.
