Sajith accuses government of plot to arrest Dayasiri Jayasekera

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has accused the government of orchestrating a campaign to arrest MP Dayasiri Jayasekera, alleging that social media is being used to create false narratives around an ex‑gratia payment he received in 2019. Premadasa told Parliament that Jayasekera had been granted an ex‑gratia payment of Rs. 500,000, a discretionary payment made by the Executive President “on the basis of humanity.” He said Jayasekera subsequently underwent medical treatment costing over Rs. 800,000, but is now facing a probe over allegedly failing to provide proper bills. The Opposition Leader stressed that there is no requirement under the ex‑gratia scheme to submit bills, yet the government is accusing Jayasekera of misuse and preparing to arrest him. Premadasa charged that the government is leveraging its social media support base to amplify allegations that Jayasekera submitted false bills, framing the issue as corruption. He described the move as a politically motivated hunt targeting the MP. (Newswire)