The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has accused several cabinet and deputy ministers of illegally claiming parliamentary fuel allowances for months even after being sworn into their ministerial positions. SJB Deputy Legal Secretary, Attorney Tharka Nanayakkara, leveled these charges yesterday (October 17) at a press conference held in Colombo.
Citing media reports that revealed information from the Parliamentary Information Unit, Mr. Nanayakkara highlighted that this double allowance scheme has led to the misuse of a significant amount of public funds.
List of Ministers and Deputy Ministers Who Received Allowances
According to the revealed information, many of these ministers and deputy ministers continued to receive their additional fuel allowances for varying periods between March and September 2025.
- Until March 2025: Ministers and Deputy Ministers Bimal Ratnayake, K.D. Lal Kantha, Samantha Vidyaratne, A.H.M.H. Abeyratne, Krishantha Abeysinghe, Anura Karunathilake, Kumara Jayakody, Chaturanga Abeysinghe, Mahinda Jayasinghe, Hansaka Wijemuni, Eranga Weerathna, T.B. Sarath, and Arun Hemachandra.
- Until April 2025: Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Ministers and Deputy Ministers Nalinda Jayatissa, Vijitha Herath, Sunil Handunnetti, Sunil Kumara Gamini, Upali Pannilage, Saroja Paul Raja, Ananda Wijepala, Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, Eranga Gunasekara, Prasanna Gunesena, Anton Jayakody, R.M. Jayawardhana, Sunil Watagala, Namal Sudarshana, and Ruwan Senarat.
- Until June 2025: Minister Sunil Senewi, and Deputy Ministers Sugath Thilakaratne and Sundaralingam Pradeep. (Deputy Minister Wasantha Piyathissa stopped receiving the allowance from May 2025).
- Until July 2025: Ratna Gamage, Aruna Jayasekara, Gamagedara Dissanayake, Munil Mulafer, Madura Senewiratne, and Nalin Hewage.
- Until August 2025: Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, and Deputy Ministers Ruwan Ranasinghe and Susil Ranasinghe.
- Until September 2025: Ministers Ramalingam Chandrasekaran, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Anil Jayantha, Namal Karunaratne, and Upali Samarasinghe.
Contempt of Court Allegations
In addition to the dual allowance accusation, Attorney Nanayakkara also accused National People’s Power (NPP) Member of Parliament, Ms. Lakmali Hemachandra, of contempt of court.
“These individuals came to power promising to establish an independent judicial system. However, what they are attempting to do, as seen in MP Lakmali Hemachandra’s video, is to pressure government officials to not even implement court decisions,” Mr. Nanayakkara stated.
He further emphasized that, despite Deputy Minister of Public Security, Sunil Watagala, issuing a verbal correction, the contempt caused to the judiciary by Ms. Lakmali Hemachandra’s statement on a public program remains.
Mr. Nanayakkara warned government officials, stating, “Do not get into trouble by complying with illegal orders from the government.” It was also revealed that all salaries and allowances for ministers and MPs are paid directly into their bank accounts.
