By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

A heated exchange erupted in Parliament yesterday regarding the suspension and subsequent reinstatement of Udapalatha Divisional Secretary Gampala Athma Dilrukshi.

State Minister Anuradha Jayaratne, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella, and Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana were all involved in the contentious debate.

State Minister Jayaratne raised concerns regarding the Divisional Secretary’s transfer, claiming she had failed to pay a contractor for construction work in Udapalatha, instead directing Rs. 1.6 million to a third party.

He said she had posted a notice falsely claiming her removal from the National Heritage Association, which he claimed was founded by his father but did not involve him personally.