Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dayasiri Jayasekera has sought the intervention of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to pressure the JVP-NPP government to respect opposition rights in Parliament, escalating the Treasury cyber-theft dispute to an international parliamentary body.
Jayasekera told The Island the SJB would not allow the NPP to suppress the truth about the theft of USD 2.5 million from the Treasury. He accused Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne of depriving the Opposition of its legitimate rights at the government’s behest. The Speaker’s conduct in the action taken against Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne was also raised with the IPU.
According to the petition, Jayasekera submitted a formal request to the Speaker on 6 May 2026 under the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act No. 21 of 1953 and Standing Order 29(1) seeking to raise a question of privilege. The proposed motion cited alleged violations of Articles 148, 149 and 150 of the Constitution concerning parliamentary control over public finance; alleged failure to report the controversial transfer of USD 2.5 million; non-compliance with parliamentary committee procedures; and questions on dual-citizenship eligibility under Article 91(1)(d)(xiii). It also sought referral to the Parliamentary Ethics and Privileges Committee under Standing Order 118.
The petition says the Speaker declined permission for the privilege issue to be raised. Jayasekera asked the IPU to take cognisance of the matter, seek clarification from Sri Lankan parliamentary authorities, and assess whether the refusal is compatible with internationally recognised parliamentary democracy principles. He also requested the IPU encourage Parliament to ensure fair and transparent procedures for privilege motions.
The escalation follows last week’s Committee on Public Finance report, which the Free Lawyers’ Collective accused of shielding senior officials, the CIABOC’s parallel probe of the Speaker over residence allowances, and the Deputy Finance Minister’s May 5 statement on the cyber-theft attribution.
