It isnt impossible to free Sri Lanka of

corruption

Friday, 20 November 2015

Sri Lanka can be a country free of bribery and

corruption, vouched Director General of the Commission to
Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption Dilrukshi Dias
Wickremesinghe.
I dont know why I have so much of hope. I dont know why I have
this very strong conviction. But I know it is possible. We need to
wake up the people. We need to get the people to believe that it
isnt impossible to make Sri Lanka a corrupt free country,
Wickremesinghe emphasised.
She also assured that a case filed at the commission would not
drag for years and would be investigated within three months.
The Chief Justice has assured a case could be investigated and
completed at least within three months.
Following are excerpts from the interview:
Q: Tell us about the awareness rally organised by CIABC on 9
December?
A: World Anti-Corruption Day is commemorated on 9 December. To coincide
with the World Anti-Corruption Day, CIABC has organised a rally. For the first
time in history CIABC is working together with civil society, trade unions
and several other organisations to raise awareness and educate society on
combating and preventing corruption.
So far we have received very good response. There is lot of encouragement.
Our plan is a long-term one and it does not end on 9 December. I strongly
believe in order to prevent corruption we need to create awareness among
people and this is our first step. I am very hopeful this will be successful.
We need people participation. I strongly believe if we have support of
people we can do lot more to prevent corruption.
Q: Do you believe organising a rally would prevent corruption in
the country?

A: Organising a rally will not prevent corruption in the country. But in order
to prevent it we need to raise awareness. We cannot achieve anything
overnight. All these years, CIABC considered investigating and bringing the
culprits before law, as our only duty. But this is the time the entire country
talks about good governance and a country free of corruption. Therefore as
CIOBAC we need to take a step further. That is why we have now taken
prevention as a core issue. We have the fullest support of the international
community and civil society. I know we cannot achieve anything in just one
or two years. But with rigorous campaign will definitely lead to that. That is
why we want to start a strong campaign on 9 December.
I am very hopeful we can make Sri Lanka corruption free.
The other day I saw a newspaper cartoon. A teacher is
asking her class, One day our country will be corruption
free. Which tense is this? Then a child answers future
impossible tense. When I saw it I burst out laughing.
Unfortunately this is the perception of the people. They
dont believe we can make Sri Lanka a corruption free
country. A little while ago my son called and told me he
was trying to get some work done and a man was asking
for a bribe to do his job. I told him, agree to pay and call
1919 and inform. My son refused. Why? Because he didnt
want to go to courts and waste time. I was so hurt because
my own son didnt want to take some action. Including my
husband, my son and even some of the officers of the
Bribery Commission dont believe that we can achieve
this. But I am saying No, we can do this.
I dont know why I have so much of hope. I dont know
why I have this very strong conviction. But I know it is
possible. And we need to wake up the people. We need to
get the people to believe that it isnt impossible to make
Sri Lanka a corrupt free country.
Q: There are allegations that the present Government is interfering
with the Commissions work, especially when it comes to certain
investigations. Is that true?
A: Just a week ago, a suspect has told an investigative officer that he had
spoken to the President and many others asking for help, but the President
and others had refused to get involved. Basically they have said they cant
interfere. That is my strength. That is fabulous strength. No one has ever
spoken to me regarding any investigation. Nobody interferes with our work.
Not even the President. Without political will this cannot be successful. The
President has specifically said he will not interfere with our work and this is
why I believe we can achieve what we want to achieve.
Q: How many cases are under investigation at present?

A: Currently we have nearly 10,000 cases. After I assumed office more than
4,000 complaints were made and we have already started investigations on
them. I have got three fabulous commissioners who have very clear and
good track record. My officers now have the strength to do things that they
were afraid to do earlier and they always assure they will support and back
me in whatever action I take. That is my strength.
The CIABC has gone through a lot of transformation
during the past few months. We received 50 officers
from the Police Department, of which 44 have
clearance from the State Intelligence Service and
they have already commenced work. The others will
start work in the near future. For the first time I
have taken females for the commission. Initially
there were objections but we welcomed female
officers with open arms. Now we have an equal
number of male and female officers.
We have received foreign assistance. The US
Government and other organisations such as US Aid
and UNDP have pledged their support for capacity
building. Meanwhile, an Australian Police
Department lady officer recently conducted a
special program on handling data analysis. CIABC
continues to receive international support and
assistance to make it efficient and organised.
Q: What are the problems faced by CIOBC
when carrying out investigations?
A: It is important that people have faith in us. A
case cannot drag for many, many years. If we can
build hope among people that within three months
of filing a case it could be investigated and
completed, that would be our biggest triumph. The
Chief Justice has assured that the cases would be
concluded at least within three months. That is a
very good sign. Actually if the cases can be
concluded within three months, what else do you
need? We dont need anything.
Meanwhile, there are requests to have different courts. There are different
categories; labour, child abuse and so on. Therefore there are requests to
have different courts. But the Chief Justice has said it is not possible to do
that. Instead he has assured that the cases would be concluded within
three months.

Posted by Thavam