President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday urged collective dedication to transform Sri Lanka into a state with minimal corruption, which he said is essential to restore citizens’ confidence and fulfil their expectations.

The President also observed that the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) should disclose to the public the reasons for withdrawing 40 out of 69 cases filed in 2021 and 45 out of 89 cases filed in 2022.

The President also noted the performance of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), revealing that 69 cases were filed in 2021, of which 40 were later withdrawn. Similarly, in 2022, 89 cases were filed, and 45 were subsequently withdrawn.

President Dissanayake emphasised the need to inform the public about the reasons behind the withdrawal of bribery and corruption cases and to disclose why investigating officers failed to appear as witnesses in these cases.

President Dissanayake made these remarks during a ceremony held today (9) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) to mark the “International Anti-Corruption Day National Celebration – 2024.”

He emphasised that no matter how many laws are enacted or institutions are established, justice cannot be ensured to the citizens if those responsible for enforcing them fail to implement them properly.

The President also said the 2024 mandate for the new Government is a mandate given to eliminate fraud and corruption.He said in Sri Lanka, the law has been implemented much like a spider’s web-small animals become ensnared, while larger entities are able to break through and evade it and added that the public’s trust in the legal system and its institutions has been eroded, emphasising that justice delayed is justice denied.

He further highlighted that the power entrusted by the people must be utilised to serve them; otherwise, that power becomes meaningless.

This year’s International Anti-Corruption Day is being commemorated under the theme,” Uniting with Youth against Corruption: Shaping tomorrow’s Integrity.”

The President pointed out that Sri Lanka already has sufficient laws and institutions to combat bribery and corruption. However, he called for introspection, urging all to examine their conscience and question whether these mechanisms are truly being employed to prevent misconduct.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake described corruption and bribery as a social tragedy and questioned the relevance of celebrating International Anti-Corruption Day, given Sri Lanka’s decline in rankings from 79th in the international index in 2013 to 115th in 2023.

He highlighted that corruption and fraud have worsened year by year, stressing that if tangible progress is not made in reducing these issues by next year, such celebrations would hold no real value. Highlighting that the Bribery or Corruption Commission had convicted only two constables, a Grama Niladhari, and a clerk in a single year, the President noted a widespread public perception that the law in Sri Lanka operates like a spider’s web-where small offenders get caught, while powerful individuals escape unscathed. The President stressed that rebuilding the country requires a complete overhaul of the state system, asserting that a healthy and functional state cannot be created without such reforms.

As part of these efforts, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through its JURE project, has trained over 1,000 Government officials to serve as exemplary officers. President Dissanayake formally conferred appointments to 15 of these trained officials.

Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri, Public Security Ministry Secretary D.W.R.B. Seneviratne,Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) SDIG PriyanthaWeerasooriya, CIABOC Chairman W.M.N.P. Iddawala, Supreme Court Judge Justice Yasantha Kodagoda, ambassadors and CIABOC officials were also present.

(DailyNews)
(This story, originally published by DailyNews has not been edited by SLM staff)

Chairman of the Freedom People’s Congress and Executive Committee Member of Samagi Jana Sandhanaya Dullas Alahapperuma has expressed strong criticism against the decision to annul the nominations for the local government elections, initially called 22 months ago, and to schedule new elections.

Alahapperuma stated that the Cabinet’s decision to annul the nominations for the local government elections, called 22 months ago, and to call for new elections will receive the support of all political parties and the public.

In a letter addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Alahapperuma condemned former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s decision to postpone the local government elections in January 2023. He emphasized that the delay resulted in the loss of over Rs. 720 million of public funds, money which he clarified was taxpayer money, not the personal wealth of politicians.

The letter was also sent to the Opposition Leader, all Members of Parliament, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, and the leaders of all political parties.

Alahapperuma expressed his belief that former President Wickremesinghe, by insulting the Election Commission and its Commissioners who decided to hold the elections, and by humiliating the Supreme Court, had confirmed his involvement in a political conspiracy.

He further criticized the decision to delay the elections, describing it as a clear case of collective corruption and political and economic crimes carried out in broad daylight.

Alahapperuma also pointed out that the delay in holding the elections, alongside other political scandals such as the bond scam, sugar scam, and visa issue, should be viewed as part of a larger pattern of political misconduct.

He stressed that those responsible for these actions must face severe punishment, regardless of their political privileges granted by the Constitution.

Dullas Alahapperuma also called on the current President to take decisive action against the perpetrators of these economic crimes and expressed hope that the people’s expectations would be fulfilled through a new election date.

(News1st)
(This story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

Following a discussion with rice traders, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed new maximum retail and wholesale price limits for various rice types, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

President Dissanayake has directed rice traders to sell Nadu rice to consumers at a wholesale price of Rs. 225 per kilo and a retail price of Rs. 230 per kilo.

The President also instructed the officials Consumer Affairs Authority to closely monitor the situation over the next ten days and strictly enforce the law against rice mill owners who fail to comply with the fixed prices.

President Dissanayake made these remarks during a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, along with rice traders, at the Presidential Secretariat today (07), the PMD said.

The President highlighted that the largest investments in the country are allocated to the Ministry of Highways, followed by the Irrigation and Agriculture sectors, with substantial subsidies provided to farmers. 

The President further pointed out that low-interest bank loans have been provided to traders for the purchase of paddy and urged rice traders not to undermine the public’s right to access affordable rice.

As a result, the following rice prices are to be implemented:

• Wholesale price of a kilo of Nadu Rice: Rs. 225, Retail price: Rs. 230
• Wholesale price of a kilo of White Rice: Rs. 215, Retail price: Rs. 220
• Retail price of a kilo of imported Nadu Rice: Rs. 220
• Wholesale price of a kilo of Samba rice: Rs. 235, Retail price: Rs. 240
• Wholesale price of a kilo of Keeri Samba: Rs. 255, Retail price: Rs. 260

The President also strongly criticized rice mill owners for frequently changing rice prices on a daily basis and instructed the Consumer Affairs Authority to monitor the daily rice production and distribution by mills.

Furthermore, President Dissanayake urged the rice traders to collaborate with the government in resolving the rice-related issues in an amicable manner, the statement added.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development A. Wimalenthirajah, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation D.P. Wickramasinghe, Director General of the Department of Development Finance Malarmathy Gangatharan, Acting Director General of the Department of Agriculture Dr. S.K. Wasala, Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Authority Hemantha Samarakoon, Chairman of the Paddy Marketing Board A.M.U. Pinnalanda, Director of the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agricultural Research and Training Institute A.L. Chandika, among other officials.

–PMD