Minister Responds to Controversial Remarks by Kadawatha Mayor on Gifts to Public Servants

In a strong rebuke to recent comments made by Kadawatha Municipal Council's Mayor Ranjan Jayalal, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lal Kantha emphasized that neither the National People's Power nor the government endorses such assertions. He reiterated that public servants must not accept gifts from any organization during the upcoming festive season, aligning his statements with the current anti-corruption legislation.

Speaking at a media conference, the minister clarified that Jayalal’s remarks reflected his personal opinions and did not represent the position of the party or the government. He highlighted the importance of adhering to the existing anti-corruption laws, stating, “Under the new bribery and corruption act, no one is allowed to accept even a minor gift. We urge all public officials and representatives to refrain from accepting any gifts from various companies or institutions during the upcoming Christmas celebrations. Accepting such gifts could indeed constitute a legal violation. Even a cup of tea can be interpreted as a bribe under the law. Therefore, we categorically reject Ranjan Jayalal's statements as entirely misguided."

Furthermore, the minister dismissed calls for Jayalal's resignation, stating that he remains a prominent figure in Sri Lanka's labor movement, having made significant sacrifices throughout its history. “He did not actually solicit a bribe. The party will certainly caution him against making such insensitively expressed statements in the future. He has received warnings in the past regarding certain missteps. Thus, this does not provide sufficient grounds for his removal. However, if he has indeed accepted any form of bribe, there will be no hindrance in enforcing the law,” he added.

The controversy erupted following a video clip, shared widely on social media, where Mayor Jayalal appeared to normalize the acceptance of gifts or money. This has stirred significant backlash from opposition political groups and civil organizations, particularly given the backdrop of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023, which expressly prohibits public servants and representatives from receiving gifts, bribes, or undue benefits from any party. His comments have since attracted severe criticism across the board.