Opposition MPs seek to summon President over container release probe

Friday, 24 April 2026 05:11 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Opposition members of the Parliamentary committee probing the release of 323 containers from Colombo Port without mandatory physical inspection have requested that several senior officials, including President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, be summoned to give evidence.

The committee has been mandated to examine the circumstances surrounding the release of the containers and to submit its findings, recommendations, and proposals.

In a proposal submitted to the committee, Opposition MPs have sought to call Dissanayake in his capacity as Finance, Planning and Economic Development Minister. They have also requested the appearance of former Ports Minister Bimal Rathnayake, who held office during the relevant period.

The proposal further calls for testimony from former Deputy Ports Minister Janith Ruwan Kodithuwakku and the then Finance Ministry Secretary.

The request was made in a letter signed by Opposition MPs Ajith P. Perera, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Mujibur Rahman, and D.V. Chanaka, and submitted to committee Chairman Justice Minister Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara.

The committee is scheduled to meet in Parliament today (24) to decide on whether to summon the proposed witnesses, with the matter expected to be taken up during the session.