A fresh complaint has been filed against ex-MPs Nandana Gunathilaka and Udaya Gammanpila, accusing them of tarnishing the image of Bribery Commission chief Ranga Dissanayake. Allegations of political bias, school admissions, and misuse of authority have ignited a storm over the independence of Sri Lanka’s top anti-corruption body.
The Bribery or Corruption Investigation Commission has been drawn into a new storm after a formal complaint was lodged by the Citizens’ Power Against Corruption and Waste. The complaint targets former parliamentarians Nandana Gunathilaka and Udaya Gammanpila, accusing them of publicly insulting Commission Director General Ranga Dissanayake and undermining the institution’s credibility.
According to the complaint, the remarks by the two politicians amount to an offence under Section 118 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023, which prohibits actions that could disgrace the Commission or its officials.
Nandana Gunathilaka had recently stirred heated debate on both social and mainstream media after claiming that Ranga Dissanayake had previously served in the legal department of the JVP. The comments triggered widespread controversy, casting doubt on the impartiality of the current Director General.
Meanwhile, Udaya Gammanpila alleged in a social media interview that Ranga Dissanayake had engaged in misconduct by illegally admitting his child to a school while serving as a judge. The Citizens’ Power Organization argues that such statements not only attack the individual but also attempt to discredit the Commission’s anti-corruption work at a critical time.
The complaint, submitted by the group’s chairman Jamuni Kamantha Thushara, urges the Bribery Commission to conduct a full investigation into these allegations and ensure that no political campaign is allowed to derail its independence.
The controversy underscores rising political pressure surrounding Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption drive, with critics warning that smear campaigns could erode public trust in the Commission’s work.
