Three employees of the Parliament have been dismissed for sexually assaulting female Parliamentary staff, according to a statement issued by Parliament.
The action followed an investigation that confirmed the employees’ guilt. Based on the recommendation of Secretary-General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne approved their dismissal on January 9.
The investigation began after reports of sexual harassment surfaced in July and August 2023, involving incidents from 2021 and 2022. An internal tri-member committee was formed on August 4, 2023, under the former Speaker’s directives and led by the then Director of Administration, as appointed by the Secretary-General of Parliament.
Two employees were suspended during the initial investigation, with the findings submitted to the Secretary-General on August 23, 2023. The case was later referred to the Attorney General, who recommended it be handed over to the Bureau for the Prevention of Abuse of Children and Women under the directive of the Inspector General of Police.
A third employee was arrested following police investigations and suspended from service on January 30, 2024.
A formal legal disciplinary inquiry, led by retired High Court Judge Kusala Sarojini Weerawardena, was conducted after the accused requested it.
The final report, submitted on December 23, 2024, recommended dismissal. The Speaker approved the recommendation, and the three employees were officially removed from service, effective from their suspension dates.
