President invites all Citizens to transform Sri Lanka into a nation with minimal corruption and bribery

“The 2024 mandate is a mandate given to eliminate fraud and corruption. The 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. 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. If Sri Lanka is to be rebuilt, the entire state system must be replaced.” The president highlighted these in his speech yesterday, the 09th of December in Colombo during the International Anti-Corruption Day celebration..

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized 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.

He also emphasized that the people’s authority should benefit them; otherwise, such power loses its significance.

President Dissanayake made these remarks during a ceremony held on the 09th of December at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) to mark the “International Anti-Corruption Day National Celebration – 2024.”

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

President Anura Kumara emphasized that Sri Lanka possesses adequate laws and institutions to fight against bribery and corruption. Nonetheless, he urged self-reflection, encouraging everyone to reflect on their conscience and consider if these systems are genuinely being used to deter wrongdoing.

The President referred to corruption and bribery as a societal tragedy and raised concerns about the significance of observing International Anti-Corruption Day, considering Sri Lanka’s drop in the rankings from 79th in 2013 to 115th in 2023.

“Corruption and fraud have worsened year by year, if tangible progress is not made in reducing these issues by next year, such celebrations will hold no real value,” he stressed.

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Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), revealing that 69 cases were filed in 2021, of which 40 were later withdrawn. Similarly, in 2022, 89 cases were filed, and 45 were subsequently withdrawn.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

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.

“Rebuilding this country requires a complete overhaul of the state system, otherwise a healthy and functional state cannot be created without such reforms”  the President emphasized.

He further pointed out that the public’s trust in the legal system and its institutions has been eroded. “Justice delayed is justice denied” he emphasized.

President Anura Kumara urged a united commitment to changing Sri Lanka into a nation with little corruption, which he indicated is crucial for rebuilding public trust and meeting expectations.

As part of these efforts, the United Nations Development Program (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.

END.