The dawn of 09th December 2019 was not just another day for the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). It was a day full of potential, of hope, and of activism for the Commission in ensuring a culture imbued with values and honesty. A Public Outreach Campaign of vast magnitude was organized by the CIABOC on 9th December 2019, from 6.00a.m. to 7.00p.m., honouring the International Anti-Corruption Day. The vision behind the campaign was to uphold the collective responsibility of the state as well as of the public in eradicating bribery and corruption. This campaign was also in furtherance of Strategy B of the National Action Plan for Combatting Bribery and Corruption in Sri Lanka. Strategy B-“Value Based Education and Community Engagement”- foresees a renaissance of the social fabric of Sri Lanka through enhancing ethical values. As CIABOC is not only engaged in investigations and prosecution of bribery and corruption but also in prevention activities, we believe that bringing forth an ideological change in the public is the initial step in an anti-corruption journey of a thousand miles.

Introduction

Approximately $2 trillion are wasted on corruption in the world annually. This figure does not take into account consequences of corruption that are difficult to quantify, such as lost investments and a reduced tax base. It only factors in the amount paid as bribes. There were many countries in the world, especially in Asia, which were embroiled in corruption in the mid 1900’. These countries were much less developed than Sri Lanka was at the time and in fact held Sri Lanka as an example of what their systems should aspire to become. With a population density as less as 325 persons per square kilometre, Sri Lanka continues to enjoy abundance of space and of natural resources which have made us the envy of Asia. Many of these other nations were smaller, with much higher population densities to us, lacked natural resources, and struggled to cater to their expanding populations, which created breeding grounds for corruption to thrive in.

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A former Police Sergeant, K. K. Budhadasa attached to the Police Station – Sewanagala 10th Mile Post was convicted by the Colombo High Court Judge Hon. Mr. A. K. M. Patabendhige on 12.12.2019 for all four counts of the indictment served by the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

Bribery and corruption have become a serious threat to all countries in the world. It has many implications for the development, investment, trade, reputation and social justice of a country. Realizing that countries cannot eradicate bribery and corruption in isolation, different countries have come together and adopted collective measures to rid themselves of this menace of corruption. In this regard, the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), signed by 186 states, is extremely important. Sri Lanka has signed and ratified this Convention in 2004.

A Police Constable served in Police Station, Piliayandala being attached to Traffic Branch in Police Division Mount Lavinia was arrested by the Investigation Officers of CIABOC when receiving a bribe of Rs. 2,000/-. The suspect has taken in to his custody, the sand permit, insurance certificate and temporary driving license issued by Police Station, Lankapura and demanded the bribe to abstain from taking legal action against the complainant who alleged being violated provisions of land permit.

An Assistant Superintendent of Police attached to police division of Chilaw was taken to custody by the authorized officers attached to Commission to Investigate Bribery or Corruption when accepting a gratification of Rs.190,000.

The officers of CIABOC have arrested a Police Officer attached to the Police Station, Borella on 08.11.2019 while accepting a bribe of Rs. 2000/- to abstain from taking legal actions against complainant who has been alleged for taking alcohol in a public place.

The officers of CIABOC have arrested a Development Officer who has served as a Financial Assistant in the Magistrate Court, Negombo while accepting a bribe of Rs. 4,000/- of the total solicited amount of Rs.5,000/- to return the amount of Rs. 50,000/-, deposited as a cash bail related to a case hearing in the said Magistrate Court.

The above suspects in order to check the bus tickets have entered the bus bearing No. NB 8869 which the complainant Bus Conductor was in duty on 23.10.2019 at Ulapane area. During this raid the suspects have identified some passenger who were not given bus tickets by the Conductor. Therefore, the three suspects have demanded a bribe of Rs.20, 000/- to refrain from taking legal actions against this omission of the Conductor and have obtained Rs.12, 000/- on the spot. Later, on 06.11.2019 when the three suspects visited the complainant Conductor to obtain the balance Rs.8, 000/- of the bribe were arrested by the officers of the CIABOC at the time of obtaining the bribe.

The Colombo High Court convicted a Police Constable attached to the Police Station, Uppuveli, Trincomalee on accepting a bribe of Rs.3000/-.