Politicians face bribery probe

24 May 2011 12:33 am - 32 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The newly activated Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption has begun investigating complaints against some politicians and high ranking public officials, a Bribery Commission official said yesterday.

“The previous Commission was unable to investigate complaints received from March 28 last year because the term of office of the commissioners had expired. But with the appointment of a new chairman and two members by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Commission can begin investigating the complaints received and legal proceedings instituted where necessary ” Commission’s Director General Lakshmi Jayawickrama said.

She said since the reactivation of the Commission last Monday the investigation branch had conducted three raids and arrested three suspects.

An Police Inspector of the Traffic Branch was arrested when he was caught while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs.10,000 from a traffic offender; a member of the Nittambuwa police civil security branch was arrested when he was caught while allegedly accepting Rs.3,000 from a bus driver and a Piliyandala police constable was arrested when he was caught while allegedly accepting a bottle of Brandy.

“We will investigate and prosecute offenders if there was sufficient evidence against them notwithstanding their status,” Ms. Jayawickrama said.
She said the Commission was successful when a judgment delivered by the Colombo High Court on the bribery case against the former Defence Minister Anurudha Ratwatta was taken in the Appeal Court.

“The case has now been taken up in the High Court,’ she added.

Ms. Jayawickrama said the Commission has filed 247 cases of bribery and corruption in the High Court, 52 in the Magistrate’s Court and more than 20 revision applications in the Court of Appeal by yesterday.

However, she declined to elaborate on the complaints received by the Commission against politicians and public officials until legal proceedings are initiated in the courts.

Ms. Jayawickrama appealed to the public to assist the Commission to put an end to this social evil that eats into the smooth functioning of public institutions and good governance by lodging complaints against bribery and corruption without fear or favour.

The newly appointed commissioners are former Supreme Court Judge D.J.D.S. Balapatabendi as Chairman with former IGP Jayantha Wickramaratne and former Appeal Court Judge L.K. Wimalachandra as members. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)

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Comments - 32

Saho Tuesday, 24 May 2011 04:52 AM

People have enough Mega Dramas.

willows Wednesday, 25 May 2011 09:11 AM

No politician takes bribery in Sri Lanka, only in Asiyawe Aischarya????

Signore Wednesday, 25 May 2011 02:30 AM

BRIBERY ?????....mehay novay......ENGALANTHE !!

Yehiya-Doha Tuesday, 24 May 2011 03:16 PM

Less than 1% got caught.

citizen1 Tuesday, 24 May 2011 02:17 PM

Bigtime! complete with bleach!

SureshP Tuesday, 24 May 2011 12:20 PM

How can they be independent? They start off being appointed by HE, they can be removed by HE.

Monkey Boon Tuesday, 24 May 2011 12:13 PM

IN SIRI LANKA??? I DONT BELIEVE THIS... MAY BE IN THE HELL... OR NIGERIA

Hemantha Tuesday, 24 May 2011 10:39 AM

RATTARANS 450 MILLION SHD INVESTIGATE BACK !!!!

Guru Tuesday, 24 May 2011 10:07 AM

In this case all politicians of SL should face the same.

zorro Tuesday, 24 May 2011 09:47 AM

how can this be an Independent organ, if they rely on the mercy of the master?

Matara Kolla Tuesday, 24 May 2011 08:33 AM

We had bribery commissions before and was effective to an extent. Let us give it a go for at least an year and analyze the NET results. That will prove whether it has any purpose.

Allangle Tuesday, 24 May 2011 08:24 AM

Hi, once it is truly implemented we could finger count number of politician left without bribery and corruption. How many will be left in parliament?

Daya Tuesday, 24 May 2011 07:01 AM

Whaat? Investigation against some politicians? What a D rope to the poor public.

Kan Tuesday, 24 May 2011 05:22 AM

I hope new bribery commission will take a leaf from India and fearlessly carry out their task assigned to them and take action against persons irrespective of their status and without political interference.Or else the commission is of no use and will waste tax payers money.

Omattage Perera Tuesday, 24 May 2011 05:24 AM

I hope that all reported as being involved in this social menace will be caught and brought to justice and not only small sprats who get caught leaving big sharks to continue unabated.

Sucker Tuesday, 24 May 2011 05:18 AM

Will they be a bunch of toothless tigers who will pick and choose the victims as per his master's voice.

tharang semasinghe Tuesday, 24 May 2011 12:58 AM

appreciated indeed, But Independence of these commissions are somewhat problematic. hope they will take actions not like previous ones did.

Lal Tuesday, 24 May 2011 04:59 AM

Wow- 10,000/- and 3,000/- GREAT!!!
these are just sprats!

but what about the sharks- who whack Billions from Roads/Harbours and Tsunami Funds?

Ramesh Tuesday, 24 May 2011 04:55 AM

Don't look for the small fish, the big fish are sitting comfortably at the parliament.

backstreet boy Tuesday, 24 May 2011 04:39 AM

what about the colossal amounts of money the politicians take will they be arrested too, if that happens will we have an empty parliament ?

willows Tuesday, 24 May 2011 04:27 AM

this is a real waste of money???

Indika Tuesday, 24 May 2011 04:22 AM

Then what should government do ? Before this opposition urge to implement the commission. After implementing say, useless.

Sanath R Tuesday, 24 May 2011 03:58 AM

How independently they are able to proceed is yet to be seen.

Hemal Tuesday, 24 May 2011 03:45 AM

Bribery?? NO No Our politicians do not take bribes. They take only commission.

Siripala Tuesday, 24 May 2011 03:59 AM

Bribery and corruption at highest level exist in all countries and will continue to exist - Democracy or not.

Mohan Tuesday, 24 May 2011 03:52 AM

This is Just a Fairy Tale as telling fairy tales to kids,If so how about the cases in construction of Roads which the govt says some amount has been passed but no Roads have been constructed.

nawa Tuesday, 24 May 2011 03:24 AM

wasting resources because we know nothing will finally happen............just show down....

mervyn perera Tuesday, 24 May 2011 02:52 AM

Bribery complaints against opposition parties only will be accepted. Good move.

Praveen Tuesday, 24 May 2011 02:20 AM

This is Useless. No point in doing. Know the reason rite?

Lal. Tuesday, 24 May 2011 01:36 AM

I hope this newly appointed commissioners to the bribary commission will do their job properly without any political influence. We all know how corrupt some of the politicians are. Please bring them to justice and throw away the keys. They are not a good example to our younger generation. Please be transparent , do not bend down to political influence.Can the bribery commission do a proper job without political influence?That is any bodie's guess.

Godaya Tuesday, 24 May 2011 01:35 AM

BRIBERY IS THE BIGGEST MENACE WE SRI LANKANS FACE TODAY. THIS MOVE LOOKS LIKE AN EYE WASHER!

Black Mamba Tuesday, 24 May 2011 01:31 AM

This is too good to be true. In any case we can be sure that the commission will goes after only the sprats and let the sharks get away!!!!

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Politicians face bribery probe

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