A group of Members of Parliament from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today (11) lodged a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), alleging that the Private Secretary to the Speaker is acting in a manner that interferes with an ongoing investigation into a complaint previously filed against the Speaker of Parliament.

In their complaint, the SJB MPs alleged that the Speaker’s Private Secretary had directed the Secretary-General of Parliament to submit a report to the Speaker on matters raised in the earlier complaint, which they claim amounts to undue interference in an active investigation.

The issue stems from a complaint filed on 2 February by suspended Deputy Secretary General of Parliament and Chief of Staff Chaminda Kularatne, who lodged corruption allegations with the Bribery Commission against Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne.

In his complaint, Kularatne accused the Speaker of several violations, including the use of official vehicles beyond the authorised limit, the alleged unlawful receipt of two fuel allowances, and the use of two official residences.

On 5 February, SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna disclosed in Parliament that the Speaker’s Private Secretary had sent a letter to the Secretary-General of Parliament seeking information related to the complaint filed with CIABOC.

Citing this development, a group of SJB MPs led by Rajakaruna visited the Bribery Commission this morning to formally lodge a complaint regarding the actions of the Speaker’s Private Secretary, arguing that such conduct could undermine the independence of the investigation.