-By LeN Political Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -10.July.2025, 11.10 PM) Nishantha Jayawira, a former Additional Secretary to the President and veteran tax administrator, was sworn in yesterday(09) as a Member of Parliament representing the National People’s Power (NPP), filling the seat left vacant following the resignation of Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma.
Dr. Suriyapperuma, who also served as the Deputy Minister of Finance, stepped down from his parliamentary post last month to assume duties as Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Development, a move widely viewed as part of the administration’s effort to inject technocratic credibility into the state bureaucracy.
The swearing-in ceremony took place this morning at the Parliament complex, formally inducting Jayawira into the legislature at a time when the NPP continues to position itself as a force of technocratic reform and fiscal prudence.
Jayawira's journey to Parliament marks a rare crossover from the upper echelons of the civil service into frontline politics. A seasoned official in the Department of Inland Revenue, he held the position of Deputy Commissioner before being appointed Director in charge of Sri Lanka’s centralised tax system, the Revenue Administration Management Information System (RAMIS).
In anticipation of his new parliamentary responsibilities, Jayawira recently opted for early retirement from the civil service, closing a chapter in a long career marked by public sector reform and systems modernisation.
His most recent role was as Acting Commissioner General of Excise, a position he was appointed to in October 2024 following the NPP-led government’s assumption of power. He served in that capacity until December 2024, after which he was appointed Additional Secretary to the President, where he advised on revenue policy and administrative reform.
Jayawira’s entry into Parliament is being seen as part of a broader trend under the Anura Kumara Dissanayake administration: the strategic elevation of technocrats and policy specialists into legislative roles. Analysts suggest this is an attempt by the NPP to further distinguish itself from traditional political parties by reinforcing its commitment to evidence-based policymaking.
A senior NPP source remarked, “Nishantha brings with him not just expertise in tax policy, but also a deep understanding of institutional reform. He will be a valuable asset as Parliament begins debating the 2025 fiscal framework and structural adjustments tied to ongoing IMF negotiations.”
Though relatively unknown to the public outside bureaucratic circles, Jayawira is respected within Sri Lanka’s financial and governance institutions as a no-nonsense reformer, credited with pushing for greater transparency and digitalisation within Inland Revenue operations.
Jayawira enters Parliament at a pivotal time. The NPP government is expected to table a series of sweeping public finance reforms, including proposals to overhaul revenue collection, curb wasteful spending, and restructure State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs)—initiatives that will likely require the political finesse of seasoned legislators and the technical rigour of specialists like Jayawira.
One parliamentary observer noted, “This appointment signals a serious shift away from patronage-based politics. But the real test lies in whether these technocrats can survive the political rough-and-tumble of Sri Lanka’s legislature.”
In his brief remarks following the oath of office, Jayawira expressed his gratitude to the party leadership and pledged to serve “with transparency, accountability, and discipline.”
As Parliament reconvenes next week, all eyes will be on Jayawira—not for his oratory, but for his ability to inject administrative competence into a system long mired in political theatrics and policy inertia. For the NPP, the hope is that appointments like his will serve not only to repair the machinery of state, but to restore public faith in governance itself.
-By LeN Political Correspondent
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by (2025-07-10 18:49:58)
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