Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s office denied claims of issuing liquor licenses as political bribes, stating all licenses adhered to Excise Department regulations.

The statement clarified that over Rs. 3.1 billion in revenue was generated through liquor licenses issued during his tenure and emphasized that the process was verified by the Election Commission in August 2024. It added that the current Cabinet holds authority to renew or revoke these licenses.

The response follows allegations made in Parliament by Minister Bimal Rathnayake, who claimed 361 licenses, including 172 wine store permits, were issued as political bribes to sway MPs.

A Fundamental Rights petition has also been filed in the Supreme Court, alleging the licenses were granted arbitrarily to influence the 2024 Presidential Election.

The Meteorology Department forecasts the low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal to move west-northwest, reaching the southwest Bay of Bengal near Sri Lanka-Tamil Nadu coasts by tomorrow (11).

Heavy showers exceeding 75mm are expected in Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces, as well as Galle and Matara districts. Periodic rain is also predicted in the Northern, North-Central, and Eastern Provinces.

Misty conditions are likely in Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western, and North-Western Provinces during the morning.

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Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), revealing that 69 cases were filed in 2021, of which 40 were later withdrawn. Similarly, in 2022, 89 cases were filed, and 45 were subsequently withdrawn.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)