Probe on Bribery Chief yet to begin

The investigation into the complaint by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) against Bribery Commission Chief Jagath De Silva Balapatabendi was still to begin despite the lapse of more than three weeks since the date of the complaint, Daily Mirror learns.

Reliable sources told Daily Mirror that the investigation unit had not received the file containing the allegations against Justice Balapatabendi.

On January 1, the JVP lodged a complaint against the Bribery Commissioner alleging that the former Supreme Court Judge was involved in a controversial vehicle transaction and that he had received ‘kickbacks’ as a result of a judgment he delivered.

When contacted Commissioner Justice L.K Wimalachandra said he was not aware of any details about an investigation and declined to comment further.
Commissioner Jayampathy Wickremrathne said he could not comment on the matter since he was under an oath of secrecy.

JVP MP Sunil Handuneththi said the fact that the investigation had not even begun was a matter of grave concern.

“We wanted the Commissioner to act ethically and to temporarily step down from his post until he is cleared. The fact that an investigation has not even begun speaks volumes and was clearly an admission of guilt. They have stooped so low in so far as to avoid even an investigation. Now we have to ask the government what they have to say about this because it was the President who appointed him” he said.

Meanwhile MP Sujeewa Senasinghe who first made the allegations in parliament said the fact that the investigations were yet to begin indicated that justice did not prevail in the country.

“They have to investigate as soon as a complaint is made and the fact that they haven’t shows the level these people would stoop down to under a government which protects rogues and thieves. The right thing to do was to temporarily step down but that never happened, and even while in the chair the fact that no investigation is underway is just another case of the impunity these people enjoy,” he said. (Hafeel Farisz)