{
  "id": 14834487,
  "title": "SJB: Govt. trying to reappoint Jayakody, who resigned from Cabinet amidst coal scam",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/sjb-govt-trying-to-reappoint-jayakody-who-resigned-from-cabinet",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T00:06:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/sjb-govt-trying-to-reappoint-jayakody-who-resigned-from-cabinet-amidst-coal-scam/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "SJB spokesman S.M. Marikkar has accused the current government of attempting to reappoint former Cabinet minister Kumara Jayakody, who resigned on April 17, 2026, due to a coal scam that occurred in 2025. Marikkar claims that Jayakody's successor, Anura Karunathilaka, is leading efforts for Jayakody's return at the behest of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.\n\nAccording to Marikkar, the NPP government is promoting a false narrative that the losses from the coal scam, which amount to Rs 15.68 billion, can be entirely recovered through penalties and deposits held by the supplier. He disputes this claim, stating that the actual losses amount to Rs 16.48 billion.\n\nMarikkar asserts that the government's efforts to clear Jayakody from the Cabinet are part of a propaganda campaign to bring him back into the ministerial position in January of the following year. The Opposition MP points to the findings of the Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) report on infrastructure and strategic development, which revealed significant losses due to the use of substandard coal from Trident Chemphar, an Indian company.\n\nMarikkar highlights that six out of the 25 shiploads of coal ordered from Trident Chemphar were never delivered, leading the government to pay Rs 2,284 million beyond the market price in emergency procurement to cover the shortfall. Additionally, an extra Rs 26.6 million was spent to have tests conducted on substandard coal at an Australian laboratory, following the SOC's rejection of Indian laboratory tests.\n\nThe SJB MP explains that the procurement of substandard coal has cost taxpayers nearly Rs 20 billion, while the government is actively trying to cover up Jayakody's involvement. Marikkar emphasizes that the government should accept responsibility for the fraud and warns that a future government will investigate the coal scam and hold those responsible accountable.\n\nMarikkar also notes that the current NPP government's reputation has been severely damaged by the coal scam, and any attempt to cover up Jayakody's direct involvement will fail. He warns that the NPP should be prepared to face the consequences of their actions.",
  "summary": "Marikkar claims coal losses more than twice Treasury bond scam By Shamindra Ferdinando The SJB has accused the NPP government of trying to create an environment conducive for the re-appointment of Kumara Jayakody who resigned on 17 April 2026 over a coal scam perpetrated in 2025. Colombo District MP S.M. Marikkar Tuesday (13) alleged that […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}