A serious controversy has emerged surrounding Thilaka Jayasundara, the Secretary to the Ministry of Industries, amid claims of undue interference in the management of Lanka Sugar Company. Questions are being raised over whether she is facilitating the interests of private individuals with vested stakes in Sri Lanka’s sugar sector.
According to reports, Jayasundara attempted to appoint Vajira Kumaratunga, a former Director and CEO of Lanka Sugar Company during the previous government and a personal acquaintance, as the new Chairman of the company. However, her proposal reportedly failed to gain official approval.
Kumaratunga’s previous tenure at Lanka Sugar was marked by significant financial losses, and he is currently employed in a private company that exerts substantial control over the Galoya Sugar Factory. Sources allege that certain players within the sugar industry are lobbying to position Kumaratunga back at Lanka Sugar to deliberately undermine its operations and drive the company toward ruin, benefiting private competitors.
This raises critical concerns: Is the Secretary to the Ministry of Industries acting under the influence of a private sugar industry magnate? And if so, why hasn’t the government taken steps to curtail such damaging influence?
Adding to the controversy, Nuwan Dharmaratne, the former Chief Operating Officer of Pelwatte Sugar Company—previously accused of leaking sensitive trade information reportedly resigned a few days ago under mounting pressure.
Simultaneously, misinformation campaigns appear to be surfacing. Recent claims circulated in the media alleging that the Sevanagala Sugar Factory was facing imminent closure have been dismissed as baseless. The individual behind these statements has been identified as a former member of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB). Allegedly, this individual is receiving behind-the-scenes guidance from none other than Thilaka Jayasundara.
Given the growing number of incidents linked to her name, calls are mounting for the government to reevaluate the continued service of such high-ranking officials. At stake is not only the stability of state-run enterprises but also the broader integrity of Sri Lanka’s industrial governance.
