Is Anura’s Inner Circle About to Crack?

Whispers in the corridors say the President’s closest confidant, Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody, is now the hottest file on CIABOC’s desk—while a contempt case brews over a jab at a judge.

The Inner Circle Under Fire

It’s the kind of political plot twist that sends WhatsApp groups into overdrive. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) is, we hear, gearing up to file action against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody over alleged misappropriation at the Fertiliser Corporation dating back to 2015. The number being murmured? Rs. 8 million—and the timing couldn’t be more awkward for President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Not One, But Two Storms

As if CIABOC wasn’t enough drama, a separate thundercloud is forming: a group of opposition politicians and civil society figures are preparing a contempt of court action over a remark Jayakody reportedly made about a judge during a recent TV interview. If either matter sticks, the political fallout could be severe.

From Protégé to Problem?

Here’s where it gets touchy. Jayakody is no casual colleague—he’s long been considered one of the President’s closest friends. It was Dissanayake himself who, back in the UPFA days under Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, introduced Jayakody to the Fertiliser Corporation when Dissanayake was Agriculture Minister. The bond only deepened; Jayakody was a visible force during Dissanayake’s presidential campaign. Now, that history is the backdrop to a very modern headache.

The Rs. 8 Million Question

With the 2015 allegations resurfacing, palace whispers suggest some of the President’s confidants have privately advised that the cleanest move would be for Jayakody to step aside while the process plays out. Officially, though, the line is more cautious: no resignation request yet, and the President will “await the court’s update.”

Cabinet Counsel: “Step Down—Voluntarily”

In the President’s weekly sit-downs with senior NPP Cabinet hands, the advice reportedly sharpened: a voluntary step-down—at least temporarily—would spare the government a slow bleed in headlines and soundbites. It’s the political equivalent of a pressure release valve.

The Minister’s Line Goes Quiet

Attempts to reach Jayakody for comment went unanswered. A source close to him insists there are no plans to resign. For now, the strategy appears to be ride it out—and hope the legal winds shift.

Parliament’s Powder Keg

The opposition smells opportunity. When Parliament reconvenes this week, expect fireworks. ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam is said to be sharpening a call for Jayakody’s resignation, or at the very least, an explanation of how a minister under a corruption cloud can keep his portfolio. He flagged a similar concern six months ago, hinting that someone once interdicted for a Fertiliser Corporation financial issue was now seated at the Cabinet table.

High Stakes for the Presidency

For President Dissanayake, the optics are brutal: the administration that promised discipline and clean governance now faces its first true test of distance versus loyalty. Push too hard, and friendships fray. Push too little, and the anti-corruption message looks selective.

What to Watch Next

CIABOC’s filing: Does it land this week—and how broad is the charge sheet?

Contempt bid: Do the petitioners proceed, and does the court take a strict view of the TV remark?

Resignation calculus: Does Jayakody blink first—or does the Presidency make the call?

Parliament pulse: Will the opposition force a debate that boxes the government in?

Allegations remain non-proven at the time of writing. All parties named have the right to respond; the legal process will determine the facts.