TIME TO RECOUP ILL-GOTTEN ASSETS

Recently the media reported that a former chief minister and his private secretary were sentenced to 16 years of rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo High Court, on corruption charges levelled by the CIABOC.   

It is noteworthy that CIABOC, under the newly appointed Director General by President AKD, has already commenced wiping out its tainted reputation as a toothless tiger that netted only the small fish leaving the big ones out!

It is well known as to how, many a corrupt politician, when in power avoided facing inquiries by the CIABOC citing flimsy reasons and got away. Also, how cases filed by the CIABOC against certain state officials were withdrawn, thus letting the corrupt off the hook!               

Most past presidents and ministers exerted political pressure on CIABOC to drop charges against their colleagues and other cohorts which allowed corrupt politicians at all levels and such others to thrive on corruption and fraud indeed!

Thanks to IMF which for the first time introduced a bail-out package tied up with corruption vulnerabilities for Sri Lanka. It compelled the then government of President

RW to enact the new anti-corruption bill in 2023. Unfortunately, as President RW’s regime included the bulk of the culprits, nothing happened!!

It is time most opportune for the newly constituted CIABOC not only to file charges against all past and present suspects, irrespective of party politics but more importantly to recoup the ill-gotten wealth of the guilty including moveable and immovable properties, back to where they belong—government coffers. 

If not, the helpless tax payers will have to bear their sustenance, even in prison!                                                                                                                                      

M.R. Pathirage

Kolonnawa