Government acting outside the law: Udaya Gammanpila

14-May-2026

.

Leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Party and former Minister Udaya Gammanpila has stated that the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, which is actively investigating past cases, must also properly investigate corruption allegations involving the current government.

He alleged that both the National People’s Power and the President are acting outside the law, and questioned how public trust in the rule of law can be maintained under such circumstances.

He made these remarks during a press conference held at the party headquarters in Colombo.

Gammanpila referred to a statement made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at a development committee meeting in the Matale District, where the President said everyone is equal before the law and no one can act outside it. Gammanpila said his party fully agrees with that statement.

However, he claimed that it is not the public or the opposition acting outside the law, but rather the government and the President themselves, and cited several examples.

He said one year has passed since a complaint was lodged with the Bribery Commission regarding the release of 323 containers from customs without proper inspection. He alleged that the Director General of Customs had initially stated that the containers were released without inspection based on the advice of the President and then Ports Minister Bimal Rathnayake.

He also said Deputy Ports Minister Ruwan Kodithuwakku had stated the government would take responsibility if suspicious items such as weapons or narcotics were found in the released containers.

However, Gammanpila claimed that neither the President, nor Bimal Rathnayake, nor Ruwan Kodithuwakku have been questioned regarding the matter, and that the Bribery Commission has not even summoned them.

He argued that when special privileges are granted to government members including the President, it becomes impossible to claim that the law applies equally to all. He said the Bribery Commission should summon the ruling party in the same manner it summons opposition members, and only then will confidence in the rule of law be restored.

He also raised suspicions over the death of former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena, stating that Chandrasena had submitted an affidavit to court claiming he was threatened by the Director General of the Bribery Commission. Gammanpila noted that pressuring witnesses is a punishable offence under the Penal Code, and said if everyone is truly equal before the law, the Director General of the Bribery Commission should also be investigated.