An opposition parliamentarian has predicted that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will be jailed once his government leaves office in 2030, linking the claim to a cyberattack that cost the Finance Ministry USD 2.5 million in public funds.
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Prasad Siriwardena made the allegation while accusing the President, who also holds the finance portfolio, of allowing the misuse of state resources and failing to enforce accountability within his administration.
Siriwardana stated that Dissanayake would inevitably face imprisonment once the current government was removed from power in 2030.
He noted that the President bore direct responsibility for the reported financial loss linked to the cyberattack, alleging that Dissanayake had failed to respond appropriately once the breach came to light.
The Finance Ministry confirmed in April that its systems had been compromised by hackers in connection with the loss, adding that complaints had been filed with law enforcement agencies and disciplinary action taken against several officials.
Siriwardena drew a parallel with the conviction of former minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, citing remarks he attributed to the director general of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
He said that Aluthgamage's conviction over the distribution of goods using public funds during an election period had set a legal precedent for prosecuting public officials over the misuse of state resources, and he argued that the same principle could eventually be applied to Dissanayake in relation to the cyberattack.
He clarified that he was not suggesting the opposition intended to personally pursue the President's imprisonment, but maintained that existing legal precedent made such an outcome likely.
Siriwardena also extended his criticism to the President's past political conduct, alleging that Dissanayake had failed to take responsibility during previous political alliances and had made use of corruption investigation files for political ends.
He claimed that files compiled during investigations carried out under former President Maithripala Sirisena's administration had subsequently been used to negotiate political arrangements with individuals facing corruption allegations.
Criticising the government's taxation policies, he alleged that substantial revenue was being collected from businesses, workers and farmers without corresponding accountability in how public funds were being spent.
He asserted that the President could no longer avoid responsibility for the state of governance under his government, and called on the public to scrutinise the government's management of state finances.
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