National Action Plan to prevent bribery and corruption to be released soon

Colombo (News 1st): The National Action Plan for the Prevention of Bribery and Corruption will be released on March 18th, 2019. Director General of the Bribery Commission, PC Sarath Jayamanne convening a press briefing today to reveal further information noted that they have already received cabinet approval to amend the laws. He noted that they are currently in the process of amending acts such as the bribery act, the commissions of inquiry act, and the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities act. Jayamanne noted that they did not remain silent during the past year as for the first time in history, they prepared a handbook that includes regulations pertaining to the provision and receipt of gifts and they have no rules or best practices to minimize conflict of interest. He noted that the elections commissioner works closely with them and the election commissioner prepared a draft document including proposals, to guide the manner in which funds should be allocated for election propaganda activities. He said many assets from Sri Lanka have been taken overseas and bringing such assets back to Sri Lanka is not an easy task. Jayamanne went onto note that recovery of assets law must be in place for this and at present, this law is being formulated and a special presidential task force has been appointed in this regard. However, he said the members of this committee receive very low salaries and benefits, after all of their efforts, there are few individuals who raise questions on a media platform, as to why legal action is yet to be taken in this regard. He requested that they must be provided with sufficient resources and noted that the cost for the group of 27 staff members is not that high. Journalists questioned if the commission has taken any steps to file a case against a predestination commission. Responding to this he noted that they are currently functioning in a very observant manner. However, he said they cannot disclose further information in this regard. Jayamanne noted that the police has the power to disclose information, however, due to the bribery commission's confidentiality clause, they cannot disclose information. He pointed out that what was revealed today, was not made public for a period of one year, therefore he requested the public to watch what happens this year.