Kumara Jayakody - A man who faces the test of time

• A top source said that following Jayakody’s resignation, President Dissanayake had informed his close confidantes that he would not appoint a new Minister to the post but would pass on the portfolio to a senior cabinet minister
• This is because President Dissanayake is awaiting the results of the commission who is expected to conclude its probe within six months to understand if Jayakody has committed any irregularities
• Jayakody is considered one of the President’s closest friends for many years 

By JAMILA HUSAIN   

Days after Kumara Jayakody resigned as the Energy Minister making him the first minister to step down amidst corruption allegations in the NPP government, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will this week appoint an already existing cabinet minister to the post to temporarily look into the affairs of the ministry, the Daily Mirror learns.   
A top source said that following Jayakody’s resignation, President Dissanayake had informed his close confidantes that he would not appoint a new Minister to the post but would pass on the portfolio to a senior cabinet minister till the Presidential Commission concludes its probe on the coal procurement.   
This is because President Dissanayake is awaiting the results of the commission who is expected to conclude its probe within six months to understand if Jayakody has committed any irregularities. Senior NPP members are of the view that Jayakody had not committed any wrongdoing and if proven innocent will be appointed back to the portfolio as soon as the probe concludes.   
Kumara Jayakody was handpicked by President Dissanayake as the Energy Minister when the NPP cabinet was appointed following its victory in the General Elections in 2024 and has always maintained a strong friendship with him.  In fact Jayakody is considered one of the President’s closest friends for many years. He was introduced to the Fertiliser Corporation by Anura Kumara Dissanayake when Dissanayake was the Minister of Agriculture in the UPFA government under Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.   
Even when the Bribery Commission commenced a probe against Jayakody for allegedly causing a loss of over Rs. 8 million to the state while he was serving as the Procurement Manager in the Lanka Fertilizer Company back in 2016 and while he was indicted by the Colombo High Court last month and released on bail over these charges, President Dissanayake stood firmly by his minister and even defended him on several occasions.   
However, with public and opposition pressure mounting, President Dissanayake decided to appoint a three member special Presidential Commission of Inquiry to probe the alleged irregularities, corruption and financial losses in the coal imports and to get a certain answer if Jayakody will be permanently out.   
Till then a senior minister will take over the portfolio for six months and temporarily handle the affairs of the Energy Ministry as the cabinet members themselves were of the view that Jayakody’s resignation would pave way for an independent investigation.   ​