Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) High Court Judge Ranga Dissanayake alleged that a deliberate attempt was being made to derail critically important investigations undertaken by the Commission.
Dissanayake said so when The Island sought his response to former JVP frontliner Nandana Gunatilleke’s recent claim that he served as a member of the JVP legal committee. Appearing on a Hiru ‘Balaya’ Gunatilleke emphasised that they couldn’t have faith in CIABOC as its DG had been involved with the JVP.
Dissanayake said that he served as a lawyer from 2000 to 2004 before joining the judiciary in Oct 2004. “There is absolutely no basis for this claim. I have never been involved with any JVP set-up,” Dissanayake said, adding that he intended to discuss the issue at hand with the CIABOC Commissioners.
“Appropriate action will be taken in this regard.” he said.
Dissanayake received the new appointment in January this year. The commissioners are Justice W. M. N. P. Iddawela (Chairman), K. B. Rajapakse (member) and Chethiya Goonesekera P. C. (member).
Responding to another query, Dissanayake said that an interested party had sought to discredit the CIABOC by falsely alleging him of meddling in the admission of his son to the Royal College, Colombo in 2014. For those who had been intimidated by the investigations undertaken by the CIABOC may resort to such measures meant to derail the commission, Dissanayake said.
“I won’t be discouraged by such propaganda ploys. Our investigations are on track though we are unable to maintain the speed expected by the public for obvious reasons. We are short of staff and there seems to be an unfortunate delay in addressing that issue,” Dissanayake said.
The High Court judge said that CIABOC needs a staff of about 1,000 to meet the daunting obligations.
Dassanayake also explained the action taken under the Anti-Corruption Act No 09 of 2023 pertaining to complaints received in respect of asset declaration made by members of the current parliament. The top CIABOC official said that there is provision for initiating investigations on its own or acting on complaints.
“Our processes are under scrutiny by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). That is the reality. In fact, the IMF wanted access to assert declarations granted to those using telephone numbers used outside Sri Lanka in line with their policy of promoting and encouraging transparency.” According to Dissanayake, the release of funds in terms of the IMF-Sri Lanka agreement also depends on the CIABOC working to an agreed plan.
The IMF in March 2023 approved a 48-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Sri Lanka worth about US$3 billion to support economic reforms. Dissanayake acknowledged that the Japanese grant of USD 2.5 through the UNDP in support of integrated anti-corruption underscored the international community’s interest.
Dissanayake emphasized that it would be the responsibility of the parliament to ensure the dignity of the CIABOC. Questions regarding the CIABOC shouldn’t be directed at ministers under any circumstances, the outspoken High Court judge said, urging political parties to be cautious. “Please do not seek advantage at the CIABOC’s expense. All questions should be submitted to the Prime Minister, who should seek answers from the President’s Office and table the answers in parliament,” Dissanayake said. “We may have to bring this to the notice of Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne.”
Dissanayake admitted that in spite of the enactment of the relevant new law, the CIABOC hadn’t been able to accomplish intended changes for want of a cohesive action plan.
Referring to the arrest of Mahesh Gammanpila, one-time Additional Secretary (Development) to the State Ministry of Agriculture in late April for causing approximately USD 6.9 million loss to the government by giving instructions to open the suspended Letters of Credit to import the substandard organic fertilizer consignment from Qingdao Seawin Biotech, China in 2021, Dissanayake reiterated that he would go flat out against corruption. The role played by the public service in malpractices, corruption and irregularities couldn’t be ignored, he said.
by Shamindra Ferdinando 