Public beginning to show more confidence in Commission

The Bribery and Corruption Commission has received 2535 complaints against government officers since 2011, showing that more people were coming forward to complain against the menace.

Of the complaints received, 130 cases have been investigated out of which 69 have already been closed.

A total of 32 cases were concluded at the High Court where 17 secured convictions were made. The Commission received around twelve complaints daily, where most of them were against public sector employees.

The Commission’s Director General Lakshmi Jayawickrama said they were looking to recruit more professionally qualified experts in investigating corruption cases, especially to probe the veracity of such complaints which are now being lodged at a higher rate. The Commission hopes to implement an efficient investigation into each of the complaints determined as an actual case.

Evidence is a crucial aspect in examining a complaint lodged against an individual, hence the given investigation has to be methodical and up-to-date, to probe the matter and file charges.

To examine one such complaint it took a lot of time, as such cases were sensitive and could be a case aimed at an individual based on a personal agenda.

Inquires are underway in 130 cases identified by the Commission who are looking for adequate evidence to file legal charges against the individuals.
There has been a steady increase in bribery and corruption in the public administrative system notably in divisional secretariats, police personnel and school principals. But the Commission has identified that the public has more trust and confidence in the investigations carried out by them.

On Tuesday the Commission filed a corruption case against the former Secretary of the Petroleum Industries Ministry T. Jayawardena for importing sub-standard fuel last year. (SD)