Colombo, January 25, 2026 – Former Member of Parliament Prof. Channa Jayasumana has strongly criticised the controversial removal of the Deputy Secretary General of Parliament, alleging that the action was taken without due process and warning it could weaken Sri Lanka’s public service integrity.
The controversy stems from the suspension and removal of Chaminda Kularatne, who served as Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament. He was suspended by the Parliament Staff Advisory Committee earlier this week, a decision that has sparked political debate.
Speaking to the media, Jayasumana accused authorities of bypassing established procedures, saying that Kularatne was dismissed without prior notice or a disciplinary inquiry — a step he described as “unacceptable” and potentially harmful to state institutions. “The Deputy Secretary General has been removed without any notice and without any disciplinary investigation,” Jayasumana said, emphasising concerns over the rule of law.
The former MP warned that such actions could set a dangerous precedent for how senior public servants are treated in future, potentially undermining the independence and stability of the civil service. “I believe this precedent could have a very serious impact on the state service in the future,” he added.
Jayasumana also tied the incident to recent political rhetoric from government figures, particularly remarks by Minister K.D. Lalkantha about capturing state power. He suggested that the removal might be politically motivated and reflective of broader power struggles within the government.
The Staff Advisory Committee, which includes senior parliamentary figures like the Speaker and leaders from both government and opposition benches, had moved to suspend Kularatne amid allegations related to his appointment. A formal disciplinary inquiry has been promised by the committee, but Jayasumana and others say this should have preceded any removal.
The issue has drawn attention from political commentators and civil servants alike, raising questions over procedural fairness, governance standards, and the independence of parliamentary administration as Sri Lanka navigates ongoing political tensions.
