Gamapaha District SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna told Parliament early this week there was a conspiracy to remove the incumbent Parliament Secretary General.

Speaking during Tuesday’s (17) debate on the Bill, seeking to abolish the parliamentary pension scheme for MPs, Rajakaruna asserted that the removal of Deputy Secretary General Chaminda Kularatne was the first step in a broader plan targeting the top administrative post in Parliament.

He said that Kularatne had already been removed from office and alleged that the government was now planning to oust Secretary General Kushani Rohanadeera. According to Rajakaruna, the final paragraph of the preliminary investigation report into Kularatne recommends that Rohanadeera be temporarily removed from her position and subjected to a disciplinary inquiry. The report, he said, cites procedural irregularities in Kularatne’s appointment and an alleged financial loss to the State.

Rajakaruna further charged that the government was exerting pressure on the Attorney General and the Auditor General and was now attempting to interfere with the affairs of Parliament. He accused the administration of seeking to run the country, according to the dictates of Pelawatte [JVP headquarters].

He said that the Opposition would go all out to defeat the government’s plan.

By Saman Indrajith

Former Deputy Secretary General of Parliament, Chaminda Kularatne, yesterday (18) filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal, seeking to nullify the decision to interdict him from duty without a proper inquiry

Chaminda Kularatne was suspended from his post with effect from 23 January.

The decision to suspend him was taken by the Parliament Staff Advisory Committee (SAC), chaired by Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne.

The government has alleged that the suspension was ordered due to irregularities relating to Kularatne’s appointment to that position.

Dr. Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director (MD) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), visited the Central Bank of Sri Lanka on 17 February 2026 during her visit to Sri Lanka. This coincides with the 75th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s IMF membership as well as the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s 75th anniversary. At a meeting held at the Central Bank premises, Dr. Georgieva met Governor,

Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, and senior officials of the Central Bank.

During this meeting, Governor expressed sincere gratitude to the MD and her team for the steadfast support provided under the current Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and for actively facilitating the completion of the debt restructuring process, helping the country recover from the unprecedented economic hardship. Dr. Weerasinghe also expressed gratitude to the IMF for the extensive technical assistance provided across multiple areas, including monetary policy and modelling, macroprudential analysis, and financial sector policies.

Dr. Geogeiva recognised Sri Lanka’s performance under the current IMF programme as a success story. The MD also acknowledged the Central Bank’s role in restoring macroeconomic stability following the economic crisis. While noting the repeated setbacks Sri Lanka has faced in recent years, she expressed confidence that the country is poised to achieve higher growth, provided that necessary structural reforms are initiated and sustained.