Chaminda Wijesiri

Created on: 16/10/2024

Updated on: 31/10/2024

Chaminda Wijesiri

Sri Lankan Politician

District

Badulla

Political Party

Samagi Jana Balawegaya

Political Party Logo

9

x

Political Career

Local Government

Before entering National politics, Wijesiri served as the Mayor of Bandarawela. In 2014, he was hospitalized after an allegedly assaulted by a gang led by UPFA politician Heenkenda inside the Bandarawela Police premises [Source].

Member of Parliament

Wijesiri entered the Parliament representing Badulla district in 2015 through the United National Party securing 58,291 votes [Source]. He was relected in 2020 through the Samagi Jana Balawegaya winning 36,291 votes [Source].

  • He participated in debates on significant national issues, such as questioning the government's stance on the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) agreement [Source].
  • In August 2022, he raised concerns about the financial stability of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), warning that power suppliers might cease operations due to non-payment [Source].
  • He was present during the election of the new chair for the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) in February 2023 [Source].

On August 11, 2017, Wijesiri announced plans to bring a no-confidence motion against Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister Faizer Musthapha, demonstrating his active role in parliamentary proceedings [Source].

Resignation

On January 9, 2024, Chaminda Wijesiri resigned from Parliament, citing personal reasons and the need to protect his family's image. He stated that the current Parliament had outlived its mandate and emphasized the need for public consultation. Wijesiri expressed concern about the public's negative perception of all MPs, including its impact on their children [Source].

Controversies and Allegations

Throughout his political career, Wijesiri has been involved in several controversies:

  1. In February 2019, he was accused of assaulting a police constable during a confrontation with narcotics officials. He surrendered to the Bandarawela Magistrate's Court and was released on bail [Source].

  2. On April 8, 2022, Wijesiri was involved in a physical altercation in Parliament, which led to his removal from the chamber [Source].

  3. In November 2022, he was suspended from Parliament for one day due to an alleged attempt to assault another MP, Nimal Lanza, during a session [Source].

  4. On August 9, 2022, he alleged that he and two other MPs received death threats related to the legitimacy of a presidential election [Source].

  5. Following his resignation in 2024, allegations surfaced that he had accepted Rs. 90 million to vacate his seat. However, this was refuted by other party members who stated his resignation was due to frustration with party issues [Source].

Wijesiri has also been vocal about corruption issues, claiming that the Bribery Commission failed to act on complaints he made while serving as Mayor [Source].