A Brief Colonial History Of Ceylon(SriLanka)
Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations
A Brief Colonial History Of Ceylon(SriLanka)
Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations
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Thiranjala Weerasinghe sj.- One Island Two Nations
?????????????????????????????????????????????????Saturday, August 12, 2017
FM resignation interim step to criminal justice outcome - TISL
Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) welcomes the resignation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Ravi Karunanayake following allegations of wrongdoing that have emerged
before the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on Bond Issuances. Whilst
acknowledging that such actions emanate from public accountability, TISL
is mindful that there exist allegations of several offences of bribery
and corruption, which must be dealt with using the full strength of the
anti-corruption framework, not limited to the mandate of the CoI.
In all instances of alleged bribery, TISL reiterates the need to
remember the existence of a bribe giver and a bribe taker. Whilst the
CoI is empowered to provide recommendations to the President, TISL
wishes to highlight the power vested in the Attorney General’s
Department to institute actions based on evidence produced before the
CoI, particularly the acceptance of a bribe, under the penal code.
TISL is however concerned that the only legal recourse to allegations of
bribe giving is under the Bribery Act. The Bribery Act stipulates that
prosecutions can only be filed ‘by or with the written sanction’ of the
Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
The gazette establishing the CoI states that it will not prevent other
concurrent investigations and actions.
Under the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, CIABOC has been empowered
to initiate action on their own motion, without the need for a complaint
being made. In a response to a RTI application by TISL, CIABOC revealed
that not a single case has been taken up pursuant to this power, as at
30 April 2017. TISL notes that the allegations being made go directly to
the mandate of CIABOC.
TISL calls on the Attorney General’s Department and the Commissioners of
CIABOC to exercise their mandate and restore public confidence in
anti-corruption processes.