News
Grave case of conflict of interest raised in Parliament against Deputy Minister
SJB Gampaha District MP Prasad Siriwardana last week levelled a series of serious allegations, in Parliament, against Deputy Minister of Digital Technology Eranga Weeraratne, accusing him of presiding over a major conflict of interest involving two private technology firms.
Siriwardana told the House that Omobio (Pvt) Ltd., and Eimsky Business Solutions (Pvt) Ltd., companies chaired by Weeraratne, had secured contracts for two major government projects. This, he said, amounted to a textbook case of an office-holder exercising authority over both a Ministry and a private entity operating in the same regulatory space.
Recalling that Weeraratne had faced a software theft accusation, four or five years ago, the MP argued that the current arrangements underscored what he described as the government’s “fake anti-corruption drive.”
Siriwardana said that Eimsky is the primary service provider for the Smart Highway Toll System of the Road Development Authority, with its “Payment Connect” platform supplying
backend technical services for national infrastructure projects. As a result, he said, the backend system handling revenue collection across the Southern Expressway and the Outer Circular Highway is effectively controlled by a company owned by the Deputy Minister.
“Is it fair”, he asked, “for the revenue collection mechanism of a vital national economic asset to be handed over to the private company of a sitting Minister?”
The MP also charged that the Ministry, under Weeraratne’s purview, directly regulates prices and market conditions in the very sector in which his company operates, circumstances, he said, could constitute grounds for disqualification from Parliament.
Siriwardana called for a full investigation into all state contracts awarded to Eimsky and Omobio, either through a special parliamentary select committee or an Auditor General–led probe.
He also reminded the House that, despite loud rhetoric on good governance, the government had yet to appoint an Auditor General.
The situation, Siriwardana warned, raises profound concerns about transparency and fairness, particularly as systems managing public funds, such as expressway tolls and national bus fare platforms, appear to fall under the influence of a company belonging to a senior government office-holder.
Weeraratne responding said that both contracts had been entered into before he was elected to Parliament, during the times of former governments.
Latest News
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
The IMF Executive Board approved emergency financing under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), providing Sri Lanka with immediate access to SDR 150.5 million (about US$206 million,
equivalent to 26 percent of quota) to help Sri Lanka address the urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability.
In response to severe weather impacts, the Sri Lanka Navy conducted a diving and technical assistance operation on Friday (19 Dec 25) to clear major debris obstructing vital infrastructure.
Heavy rainfall caused a significant rise in the water level of the Mahaweli River, washed large quantities of debris, including logs and bamboo, downstream. These remain lodged in the Diyakapanathota in Gatambe, Peradeniya and Lewella bridges, obstructing the smooth flow of water.
Acting promptly upon request, a Navy diving team executed a coordinated operation in collaboration with the Road Development Authority. The team removed the accumulated debris, restoring normal water flow through the bridges.
Latest News
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till 08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and Kandeketiya in the Badulla district, Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
Navy clears major bridge obstructions in Peradeniya and Lewella
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
Trump says US launched large-scale attacks on ISIL in Syria
Showers will occur in the Eastern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and Central provinces and in Polonnaruwa district
PM says govt. will introduce a new Constitution to abolish executive presidency
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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