News
Sparks fly as Energy Minister and Secretary cross wires over DG
View(s):A dispute has erupted between Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody and Energy Ministry Secretary Udayanga Hemapala over the latter reappointing Pubudu Niroshan as Director General (DG) of the Power Sector Reforms Secretariat (PSRS) after the expiry of his contract.
On October 15, 2025, Prof. Hemapala issued a letter reappointing Mr. Niroshan to the position of DG after his contract expired on that date.
However, Minister Jayakody wrote to the Secretary this week directing him to “withdraw, with immediate effect, any and all actions you have taken with regard to the appointment of the DG PSRS since 2015 including the said letter”.
Prof. Hemapala was not contactable yesterday and it was not immediately clear whether he had complied with the Minister’s orders. Mr. Niroshan’s position as DG has been opposed by various trade unions within the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), including the powerful CEB Engineers’ Union (CEBEU), on the grounds that he was “carrying out the restructuring process in an ad hoc and improper manner”. The PSRS, and Mr. Niroshan, in particular, is leading the unbundling of the CEB into various companies.
Mr. Jayakody, in his letter to Prof. Hemapala, states that it is he, as Minister, who has power to appoint the PSRS DG. “Your letter dated 15.10.2025 with regard to appointment of the Director General of PSRS claims that I, as Minister of Energy, granted approval to act upon such appointment,” he states. “I have not granted you such an approval. A claim of such an approval is a gross misrepresentation.”
“By issuing the said letter, you have overreached and have assumed the powers vested in the Minister with regard to Section 38 of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act,” he continues.
The Minister points out that delicate negotiations are underway with the employee unions of the CEB with regards to the restructuring process; and that employee unions have so far reciprocated the good faith the government has shown towards them. He states that it was important that “all officers act in good faith within their legal scope”.
Mr. Niroshan yesterday did not reply to a query as to whether he will report to work on Monday.
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