SERIES OF NEW MEASURES INTRODUCED TO EXPEDITE ACTION: DG OF BRIBERY COMMISSION
The Director General of the Bribery Commission, Sarath Jayamanna PC, yesterday said a series of new measures have been taken to expedite the investigative and prosecution process with no political affiliations or prejudice to anybody and assured that all actions against corruption will be solely based on the law of the land.
“I cannot elaborate further on the measures taken to control corruption by the commission. I am also not ready to reveal the names of those, the politicians in particular, who are under investigation on alleged charges of financial misappropriation. What I can assure you at the moment is that there will be no unnecessary delay in our inquiries and consequent prosecutions. Let the law takes its own course,” Mr Jayamanna stressed.
Addressing the media, Mr. Jayamanna said Sri Lanka would hold a one day symposium on Friday (9) under the theme ‘Clean Governance’ sponsored by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Corruptions and Fraud
I cannot elaborate further on the measures taken to control corruption by the commission. I am also not ready to reveal the names of those, the politicians in particular, who are under investigation on alleged charges of financial misappropriation
and the Law and Order and Southern Development Ministry.
“There will be three technical sessions after the inauguration of the symposium at the Hotel Taj Samudra graced by President Maithripala Sirisena on three topic namely ‘A look at corruptions in the public sector on a private sector perspective’, ‘Who pressurizes public officials for corruptions’ and ‘The conflict between transparency, accountability and conflict of interest in the delivery of official duties,’ he said.
The symposium would be held on a concept of President Sirisena who participated in an anti-corruption global summit in London in May 12, this year.
“He is of the view that Sri Lanka must put an end to corruptions and frauds before stepping into international arena on an anti-corruption drive. The summit is scheduled to be taken part by all 225 Parliamentarians, top officials of the public sector and private sector numbering nearly 700. Around 20 resource personnel have been drawn from among top professionals of the public and private sector, universities and NGOS,” he said.
The concluding session would be chaired by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Secretary to President, P.b.abeykone said the objective of the symposium was to make aware public and private sector, the consequences of bribe- taking and frauds.
“People are not educated adequately on the illegality of giving bribes and officials in many instances do not consider it as a social evil. Both must understand that giving and taking bribes is equally unlawful and corruptions make a nation sick. No country progresses with corruption and therefore, eliminating corruptions, frauds and misappropriation of public money are the prerequisites for development,” Mr. Abeykone said.