A series of remarks made by Kaduwela Mayor Ranjan Jayalal at an event held in Arangala, Malabe, on November 8 has sparked intense debate on social media. He stated that following the election of the present administration, private institutions had stopped sending customary December gift hampers due to the perception that "these people are not ones who eat and drink."
He reportedly made an open appeal that he and his group also "eat and drink well", urging institutions to continue the practice if they had a tradition of sharing a portion of their products as gifts. He added that since they had even sacrificed their lives to gain power, they should be the last group to suffer.
Cabinet Spokesman's Stance
Responding to questions raised by journalists at the Cabinet decision press briefing, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said that if a complaint is lodged by any party, they are prepared to take necessary disciplinary action within the party.
The Minister said that the real meaning could not be judged merely from the short video circulating on social media and that the full statement must be examined. He stressed that he remains confident that no representative of the National People's Power (NPP) is involved in bribery or corruption.
"We are also people who eat and drink well. We know what we have eaten after coming to the Municipal Council," Ranjan Jayalal
Complaint to the Bribery Commission
Meanwhile, Jamuni Kamantha Thushara, Chairman of the Citizens' Power Against Bribery and Corruption organisation, lodged a complaint today (10) with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.
The complaint calls for a formal investigation into the statement made by the Kaduwela Mayor.
