Exclusive Expose: Serious Corruption Allegations Against Bribery Commissioner Jayantha Wickramaratne Hidden At Bribery Commission By Influence

May 30, 2013 

Confirmed information obtained exclusively by The Colombo Telegraph points to two investigations pending against former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jayantha Wickramaratne at the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery & Corruption (commonly called ‘Bribery Commission’) being suppressed and covered up.

Jayantha Wickramaratne with Secretary to the Ministry of Difence

Two investigations bearing internal file Nos. 1571/2009 and 1574/2009 relate to Wickramaratne and  certain corrupt procurements made by him,  for the “Deyata Kirula” Exhibition held in 2009 at the BMICH, Colombo.

The Colombo Telegraph is reliably informed that the serious allegations that caused the files to be opened are not being acted on, due to undue influence exerted through powerful persons in the ruling regime to sweep these matters under the carpet.

Wickramaratne was widely considered a ‘hatchet man’ for the regime during his time as IGP. Reliable sources also said his wife, Anoma Goonetilleke, a lawyer also lost her standing within the legal profession for failing to stand up for the independence of the legal profession and the judiciary. In this way, they are both considered unquestioning loyalists of the ruling regime.

The members of the Bribery Commission are not independent, after the 18th Amendment to the Constitution. They are chosen by the Executive President, Mahinda Rajapaksa without any effective checks or balances. Many allegations have been made that the Commission is merely a tool of the Rajapaksa regime to harass political opponents or those seen as standing in the way of what the regime wants to do.

Former Presidential Candidate, former General Sarath Fonseka and Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake have both been hauled before the Commission. At the same time, the above two files relating to Wickramaratne are gathering dust.