The cold war between Jagath and Chaminda reportedly started with the incident in the room.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has decided to promptly launch a formal investigation into the two complaints received against Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne and Parliament's Deputy Secretary-General Chaminda Kularatne, who is currently under suspension.

According to a decision taken by the Commission at its meeting last Thursday, the Director-General of the Bribery Commission has been instructed to immediately launch investigations into the relevant incidents.

This incident marks the first time in the history of the Sri Lankan Parliament that a Deputy Secretary-General has filed a complaint accusing a Speaker of corruption. The complaint was handed over to the Bribery Commission on the afternoon of the 2nd by Deputy Secretary-General Chaminda Kularatne, who is currently under suspension.

The complaint filed against the Speaker contains eight serious allegations of corruption and irregularities, prominently including the illegal acquisition of two fuel allowances, misuse of official vehicles, and misuse of equipment belonging to the Parliament's media division.

Furthermore, allegations against the Speaker also include obtaining additional lunch facilities through the parliamentary account without due payment, illegally occupying two government official residences, and attempting to conceal corruption by refusing to provide information requested under the Right to Information Act.

Additionally, the complaint notes several other points, such as the illegal appointment of an investigation officer and providing him with funds and facilities through parliamentary allocations, as well as undue interference in staff administration.

As a preliminary step in the investigation, the Bribery Commission has decided to summon all relevant documents pertaining to the complaints from Parliament. After analyzing this data, statements are expected to be recorded from the Speaker and Mr. Chaminda Kularatne.

Meanwhile, a complaint has also been filed against Mr. Chaminda Kularatne by a person named R. Kannan, alleging that Mr. Kularatne was appointed to the position of Deputy Secretary-General through a corrupt and illegal process.

Due to an internal inquiry conducted by former administrative officer S.K. Liyanage confirming that Mr. Kularatne did not meet the qualifications for the said post, the Staff Advisory Committee, led by the Speaker, had previously taken steps to suspend him.

According to Mr. Chaminda Kularatne, the reason for his suspension is the Speaker's malicious attitude towards him, stemming from a personal incident that occurred in the Speaker's dining room on June 18, 2025.

Mr. Mithun Dias, Mr. Kularatne's lawyer, addressing the media, stated that this complaint is not directed against the government, but rather an action taken solely against the Speaker's personal vendettas and corrupt practices.

However, the Speaker's Private Secretary has requested a report on the contents of the complaint submitted by Mr. Chaminda Kularatne from the Secretary-General of Parliament, and opposition MPs have expressed concern that such interventions could impede independent investigations.

Furthermore, considering the threats he might face due to this disclosure of information, Mr. Kularatne has also requested protection from the Bribery Commission based on the principle of protecting whistleblowers.

Mr. Chaminda Kularatne has also taken steps to forward copies of this complaint to the Attorney General, Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayaka, the Director-General of the Bribery Commission, and the Chairman of the Right to Information Commission.