A dramatic clash has erupted inside the Ministry of Energy after a controversial decision regarding the extension of service for the Director General of the Power Sector Reforms Secretariat. The dispute has exposed deep rifts between Minister Kumara Jayakody and his Ministry Secretary, with both sides now openly at odds over authority and procedure.
The controversy began when Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody was overseas on official duty. During his absence, the Ministry Secretary approved a one-year service extension for Mr. H.P. Niroshan, who was serving as the Director General of the Reforms Secretariat. In a surprising move, the Secretary issued a letter claiming the extension was carried out under the Minister’s instructions, effectively binding the decision to the Minister’s name.
However, when Minister Jayakody returned to the country, he was reportedly furious to learn of the appointment. Wasting no time, he struck down the extension with a single directive, cancelling the appointment with immediate effect. The Minister also wrote to the Ministry Secretary, formally rejecting any service extension that was issued without his explicit approval, making it clear that he would not endorse decisions made in his absence.
The incident has triggered a serious institutional standoff within the Ministry, raising concerns about governance, accountability, and power struggles at the highest levels of Sri Lanka’s energy sector. While the Secretary’s actions suggest an attempt to fill a leadership gap and maintain continuity in the Reforms Secretariat, the Minister’s swift cancellation underscores his determination to assert direct control over critical appointments.
The unfolding drama has already sparked debate within political and bureaucratic circles, as the Power Sector Reforms Secretariat plays a central role in shaping Sri Lanka’s energy policy and reform agenda. Observers now question whether this clash will slow down the pace of reforms or whether it will strengthen ministerial authority in a sector already facing enormous public and financial pressure.
