No-Confidence Motion Against Speaker, Containing 46 Charges

Sep 27, 2026 at 07:28 AM

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Lanka Leader

The parliamentary group of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has decided to bring a no-confidence motion against Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the SJB parliamentary group held last Monday, the 21st.

Accordingly, the no-confidence motion has already been drafted by a team of experts and reportedly contains 46 charges against the Speaker.

Sources said this would be the first no-confidence motion in Sri Lanka to contain such a large number of charges.

The proposal to bring a no-confidence motion against the Speaker was presented at the SJB parliamentary group meeting by MP and lawyer Dayasiri Jayasekara. It is reported that all other MPs present supported the proposal.

The no-confidence motion is scheduled to be handed over to the Secretary-General of Parliament, lawyer Kushani Rohanadeera, during the next parliamentary week.

Among the 46 allegations contained in the motion are claims that an official residence on Loris Lane, Colombo, administered by the Ministry of Public Administration and intended for ministers, deputy ministers and senior government officials who do not have official residences, was allocated for the Speaker's use while his official residence was being used for official and private purposes.

The motion also alleges that an eight-member staff was assigned to maintain the Speaker's official residence, with approximately Rs. 760,000 being spent monthly from parliamentary funds on their salaries and allowances, in addition to expenses for water, electricity and maintenance.

It further alleges that apartment No. 4-3 at a luxury housing complex on Loris Lane, Colombo 04, was obtained through the personal intervention of the Speaker for his Private Secretary, Chameera Gallage, causing financial loss to the government, and that there was a conspiracy to misuse state property, as well as assistance and abetment in such misuse.

Other allegations include the unauthorised removal of inventoried items, including pillowcases and towels, from the Speaker's official residence, amounting to the misuse of state property.

The motion also alleges that, in addition to the two official vehicles allocated to the Speaker, he obtained Parliament's WP NC4923 van and used Parliament-provided fuel for those vehicles.

It further alleges that a unit operating under the name of the Speaker's Media Unit unlawfully obtained equipment belonging to Parliament's Communications Division.

Another allegation concerns having lunch with the Private Secretary at the Speaker's private dining facility without paying the amount required for a guest, thereby causing a financial loss.

The motion also alleges that the Speaker and his Private Secretary reprimanded staff members who did not provide facilities requested by the Speaker's personal staff and transferred such employees, thereby interfering with internal administration and violating the principles of natural justice.

Speaking on the matter, MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said that all opposition parties had expressed their willingness to support the no-confidence motion.