Regretful that Sri Lanka is a corrupt country: Amaraweera

COLOMBO (News 1st); It is regretful that Sri Lanka was ranked the 102nd most corrupt country in the world, says the Minister of Environment Mahinda Amaraweera. 

Speaking at an event in Hambantota, the Minister said that Sri Lanka has joined the cadre of corrupt countries due to the activities of politicians.

Alleging that it is corrupt politicians and bureaucrats who should be punished irrespective of their rank, the Minister pointed out that the culture of corruption only arose in the country after 1977. 

Stating that there is no need to follow the example of other countries to build Sri Lanka like them, the Minister said that the best example is the Government of 1970-77, when former President Sirimavo Bandaranaike took over the Government with the dollar being at Rs. 9, and handed the country back when the the rate of the dollar is Rs. 7.