The public debate jointly organized by the students of the Department of Criminology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption successfully concluded on 26.03.2024. The debate conducted under the topic, “The existing laws and regulations on bribery and corruption are adequate/inadequate”, aimed at raising awareness on the provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023 and importance of integrity in making Sri Lanka a corruption-free nation.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption conducted a prevention programme on 12.03.2024 for 80 officers of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and took place in the auditorium of the Mahapola Ports and Maritime Academy of the Authority. Resource persons, Ms. Thanuja Bandara – Assistant Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption and Prevention Officers, Mr. Sampath Arachchige, Mrs. Chamodi Jayasinghe and Ms. Vimukthi Jayasooriya made the audience aware on prevention of bribery and corruption, its consequences and issues they have in that regard, the concept of integrity, and the new Anti-Corruption Act.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption investigated a complaint lodged by Kotteralalage Thilaksiri Caldera, which alleged that a loss had been caused to the Government by offering the contract of constructing a Laksala sales center at National Museum premises to an unqualified contractor, overriding the decisions of the Sri Lanka Handicraft Board Director Board.

Colombo High Court Judge Damith Thotawatta sentenced a civil person in Sulthanagoda on 01.04.2024 after he pleaded guilty to the charge in case HCB 226/2023. The case was filed against him by the Commission for offering a bribe of Rs. 15,000/-.

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.