“It isn’t impossible to free Sri Lanka of corruption”

Sri Lanka can be a country free of bribery and corruption, vouched Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption Dilrukshi Dias Wickremesinghe.

“I don’t know why I have so much of hope. I don’t know why I have this very strong conviction. But I know it is possible. We need to wake up the people. We need to get the people to believe that it isn’t impossible to make Sri Lanka a corrupt free country,” Wickremesinghe emphasised. 

She also assured that a case filed at the commission would not drag for years and would be investigated within three months. “The Chief Justice has assured a case could be investigated and completed at least within three months.” 

Following are excerpts from the interview:

Q: Tell us about the awareness rally organised by CIABC on 9 December? 

A: World Anti-Corruption Day is commemorated on 9 December. To coincide with the World Anti-Corruption Day, CIABC has organised a rally. For the first time in history CIABC is working together with civil society, trade unions and several other organisations to raise awareness and educate society on combating and preventing corruption. 

So far we have received very good response. There is lot of encouragement. Our plan is a long-term one and it does not end on 9 December. I strongly believe in order to prevent corruption we need to create awareness among people and this is our first step. I am very hopeful this will be successful. We need people participation. I strongly believe if we have support of people we can do lot more to prevent corruption.

Q: Do you believe organising a rally would prevent corruption in the country? 

A: Organising a rally will not prevent corruption in the country. But in order to prevent it we need to raise awareness. We cannot achieve anything overnight. All these years, CIABC considered investigating and bringing the culprits before law, as our only duty. But this is the time the entire country talks about good governance and a country free of corruption. Therefore as CIOBAC we need to take a step further. That is why we have now taken prevention as a core issue. We have the fullest support of the international community and civil society. I know we cannot achieve anything in just one or two years. But with rigorous campaign will definitely lead to that. That is why we want to start a strong campaign on 9 December. 

I am very hopeful we can make Sri Lanka corruption free. The other day I saw a newspaper cartoon. A teacher is asking her class, ‘One day our country will be corruption free. Which tense is this?’ Then a child answers ‘future impossible tense’. When I saw it I burst out laughing.

Unfortunately this is the perception of the people. They don’t believe we can make Sri Lanka a corruption free country. A little while ago my son called and told me he was trying to get some work done and a man was asking for a bribe to do his job. I told him, agree to pay and call 1919 and inform. My son refused. Why? Because he didn’t want to go to courts and waste time. I was so hurt because my own son didn’t want to take some action. Including my husband, my son and even some of the officers of the Bribery Commission don’t believe that we can achieve this. But I am saying ‘No, we can do this.’ 

I don’t know why I have so much of hope. I don’t know why I have this very strong conviction. But I know it is possible. And we need to wake up the people. We need to get the people to believe that it isn’t impossible to make Sri Lanka a corrupt free country. 

Q: There are allegations that the present Government is interfering with the Commission’s work, especially when it comes to certain investigations. Is that true? 

A: Just a week ago, a suspect has told an investigative officer that he had spoken to the President and many others asking for help, but the President and others had refused to get involved. Basically they have said they can’t interfere. That is my strength. That is fabulous strength. No one has ever spoken to me regarding any investigation. Nobody interferes with our work. Not even the President. Without political will this cannot be successful. The President has specifically said he will not interfere with our work and this is why I believe we can achieve what we want to achieve. 

Q: How many cases are under investigation at present? 

A: Currently we have nearly 10,000 cases. After I assumed office more than 4,000 complaints were made and we have already started investigations on them. I have got three fabulous commissioners who have very clear and good track record. My officers now have the strength to do things that they were afraid to do earlier and they always assure they will support and back me in whatever action I take. That is my strength. 

The CIABC has gone through a lot of transformation during the past few months. We received 50 officers from the Police Department, of which 44 have clearance from the State Intelligence Service and they have already commenced work. The others will start work in the near future. For the first time I have taken females for the commission. Initially there were objections but we welcomed female officers with open arms. Now we have an equal number of male and female officers. 

We have received foreign assistance. The US Government and other organisations such as US Aid and UNDP have pledged their support for capacity building. Meanwhile, an Australian Police Department lady officer recently conducted a special program on handling data analysis. CIABC continues to receive international support and assistance to make it efficient and organised. 

Q: What are the problems faced by CIOBC when carrying out investigations? 

A: It is important that people have faith in us. A case cannot drag for many, many years. If we can build hope among people that within three months of filing a case it could be investigated and completed, that would be our biggest triumph. The Chief Justice has assured that the cases would be concluded at least within three months. That is a very good sign. Actually if the cases can be concluded within three months, what else do you need? We don’t need anything.

Meanwhile, there are requests to have different courts. There are different categories; labour, child abuse and so on. Therefore there are requests to have different courts. But the Chief Justice has said it is not possible to do that. Instead he has assured that the cases would be concluded within three months.