SJB Alleges Contradictions in Government Actions Over Drug Seizure and Official Transfers

Speaking at a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) media briefing, Attorney-at-Law Yohan Ariyawansa claimed that the government is now carrying out some of the actions it had previously announced.

Referring to comments made by Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa about bringing entertainment programmes to villages, Ariyawansa said the government had now begun taking steps in that direction.

He also referred to the President’s previous remarks about creating a “dark state” and claimed that such a situation was now emerging in the country. He further alleged that investigations into corruption had not progressed sufficiently and questioned the government’s actions regarding individuals who had held positions before 2024.

Ariyawansa also called for an investigation into matters surrounding coal imports, referring to previous investigations into alleged irregularities involving fertiliser. Questions over coal procurement have previously been raised publicly, including by opposition politicians, while an Auditor General’s report has also identified irregularities in the procurement process.

He then referred to the recent seizure of two containers containing narcotics and alleged that Senior DIG Ranmal Kodithuwakku, together with several other officials, had been involved in the operation. He claimed that reports had emerged that Kodithuwakku was to be transferred.

Recent reporting confirms that Ranmal Kodithuwakku was scheduled for reassignment to Uva Province amid an investigation connected to the seizure of a large quantity of crystal methamphetamine at the Colombo Port.

Ariyawansa further alleged that Seevali Arukgoda, whom he claimed had been involved in instructions concerning the release of containers, had subsequently been appointed as a senior adviser to the President. Public reports confirm that former Customs Director General Seevali Arukgoda was appointed Senior Additional Secretary to the President of the Revenue Administration Reform and Modernisation Bureau (RARMB) in August 2026.