President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed Mr. W. K. D. Wijeratne as the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, in accordance with the Anti-Corruption Act No. 09 of 2023.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed Mr. W. K. D. Wijeratne as the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, in accordance with the Anti-Corruption Act No. 09 of 2023.
The new Anti-Corruption Act No. 09 of 2023 has widened the scope of bribery and corruption covering private-sector entities, companies and corporations. Accordingly, the first awareness raising programme for private sector companies and corporations was held on 22.03.2024 at Hotel Movenpick. Corporate Management Consultants organized the programme.
Based on a complaint made by a person in Boyagama, Galigamuwa, Investigation Officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption arrested a Public Management Assistant attached to the Transport Division of the Ministry of Health on allegations of soliciting and accepting a bribe of Rs. 80,000/- and was arrested at around 01.05 p.m. on 03.04.2024 on the main road outside the Health Ministry. The suspect has solicited and accepted the bribe for removing a vehicle from the blacklist and providing a report.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption conducted investigations in relation to a complaint made by the former Parliamentarian, Sujeewa Senasinghe regarding the purchase of Treasury Bills issued by the Government of Greece in 2012, when Greece was experiencing a severe financial crisis. According to the complaint, the purchase has been done with the knowledge of the fact and has thereby caused a loss of Rs. 1,843,267,595/- to the Government.
A pivotal meeting took place between the Chairman, Commissioners, and Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and the Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mizukoshi Hideaki, along with Second Secretary Kaori Imai. Also in attendance were representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JAICA).
This year's first corruption prevention program for the private sector on February 28th, 2024, a prevention program on bribery and corruption was conducted for 50 officers of Prime Lands (Pvt) Ltd at its head office in Borella. Officers from other branches also participated in the program via Zoom. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption provided resources for this program, including Assistant Director General Ms. Thanuja Bandara and Corruption Prevention Officer Ms. J.L.A Udeshika Madhubashani. During the program, participants discussed their concerns regarding the prevention of corruption in private sector, learned about the concept of integrity, and were made aware of the new Anti-Corruption Act.
A discussion with the top management of the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited was held on 01.03.2024 at its Minister’s bungalow, primarily focusing on a mechanism to fight bribery and corruption at BIA.
The preliminary objection filed by the former Central Environment Authority Chairman challenging his arrest was dismissed on 20.02.2024 by the Supreme Court without even taking it up for hearing.
Based on a complaint made by a person in Yagirala, Investigation Officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption arrested two Police Officers, a Constable and a Sergeant of Iththepana Police Station at around 3.40 p.m. on 26.02.2024. They were arrested inside the Police Station on allegations of accepting a bribe of Rs. 10,000/.
Colombo High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja sentenced a civil person in Kuruwithenna on 21.02.2024 after pleading guilty to the charge in case HCB 248/2023, which the Commission filed for offering a bribe of Rs. 5,000/-.
Colombo High Court Judge sentenced a Grama Niladhari in Kolonnawa on 26.02.2024 after pleading guilty to the charges Commission filed against him for soliciting and accepting a bribe of Rs. 5,000/.
Colombo High Court Judge Nawaratne Marsinghe sentenced 2 years’ Rigorous Imprisonment, suspended for 15 years to a civil person in Nawagaththegama after he pleaded guilty to the charge contained in the Indictment the Commission filed against him for offering Rs. 200,000/- as a bribe to Sub Inspector, Mr. Patirana of Nawagaththegama Police Station for not taking legal action against two suspects arrested while digging a treasure trove inside a reserved forest in Nawagathtehgama.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption
COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF BRIBERY OR CORRUPTION
A 36, Malalasekera Mawatha,
Colombo 07, Sri Lanka.
T+94 112 596360 / 1954
M+94 767011954