CIABOC to amend Brivery act

COLOMBO (News 1^st) - The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption says the Bribery Act will be amended inorder to ensure that the soliciting of bribes in the private sector will also be considered an offense. Speaking to News 1^st, Director General of the Commission, President's Counsel Sarath Jayamanne said at present, soliciting or giving a bribe is not considered as an offense when it comes to the private sector. He added that laws pertaining to bribes, cannot differ for the private sector and the public sector. The Director-General noted that 46 bribery cases have been taken up before the court this year, adding that 32 suspects were found guilty on bribery charges. Further, 89 cases related to bribery charges were heard before courts during 2017 and 57 suspects were found guilty.