Opposition claims government paving way for Jayakody's cabinet return

The Samagi Jana Balmandalaya (SJB) has leveled accusations that the National People's Power government is creating conditions for the reinstatement of Kumara Jayakody to cabinet following his resignation on 17 April 2026. Jayakody had stepped down amid fallout from a coal procurement scandal that occurred in 2025.

Columbo District MP S.M. Marikkar made the allegation on Tuesday, asserting that the financial impact of the coal scam substantially exceeded losses from the 2022 Treasury bond controversy that had drawn significant public scrutiny. The SJB parliamentarian's claims suggest the opposition views ongoing developments as an attempt to rehabilitate a minister tainted by the scandal.

The coal scam has remained a focal point of political contention since its emergence in 2025, with questions about procurement procedures and financial oversight continuing to dominate parliamentary discourse. Jayakody's exit from the cabinet appeared to mark an acknowledgment of the scandal's political gravity.

The SJB's assertions indicate growing tensions within parliament regarding accountability for the coal transaction losses and the government's handling of officials implicated in the matter. The opposition party has signaled its intent to maintain scrutiny over any moves to reinstate Jayakody or others involved in the procurement controversy.