Convictions on 62 corruption cases in 2018

• Annual evaluation by CIABOC says higher conviction rate than 57 in 2017 
• Gives list of top officials with cases against them including former President’s Chief of Staff 
• Arrests while taking bribes rise to 48 
• 8,000 applications received to recruit 200 specialised investigators
• Efforts underway to file cases based on Presidential Commissions of Inquiry

Releasing their annual evaluation, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) has said that 62 convictions on bribery and corruption cases were handed out in 2018 and it stressed that several key steps had been taken to promote anti-corruption measures. 

The short report, which was recently posted on the CIABOC website, said that as a result of targeted prosecutions, 62 convictions took place this year, which is higher than the 57 seen in 2017.

“As a result of successful prosecution, convictions have been achieved in 62 trials. In the year 2017, that number was 57. Between 2005 and 2010 the number of convictions ranged from 15 to 20. The higher conviction rate is due to officers of the Bribery Commission conducting prosecutions to achieve convictions, rather than merely filing cases,” the report said.    

“For the first time in history, processes are underway to recruit specialised investigators and prevention officers to the commission. After the lapse of 25 years, steps have been taken to amend corresponding laws. Formulation of a National Action Plan as well as the strengthening of international relationships are other key achievements of this year. Above all, the commission has consistently maintained its independence and nonpartisan persona in delivering its various functions,” the report added. 

The report also pointed out that a multitude of cases have been filed against top officials in the last two years including the former Attorney General, former judge of the Court of Appeal, three former ministers, Chairman to the State Printing Corporation, Chairman to the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Director of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Chairman of Laksala, Managing Director of Laksala, Director of Finance of Laksala, Project Manager of Laksala, former District Court Judge, official of the Ceylon Electricity Board, Chairman of Avant Guard and a former Brigadier of the Army. 

A Director of Customs, Superintendent of Customs, former Governor, former member of a Pradeshiya Sabha and other officials holding high ranks have also been included. A special case has been filed for two offences of giving and accepting a bribe by a former Brigadier and the Chairman of Avant Garde, the report said. 

It also said that within the span of this year, 48 arrests have been made during raids conducted while bribes were taken. As such, during the arrests high-ranking officials such as the Import and Exports Controller, Chairman of the Timber Corporation and President’s Chief of Staff, Chairman of the Department of Animal Production and Health, Senior Assessor and Inspector General of Police are present.

“While for the last five years investigations were carried out by police officers, the Bribery Commission has succeeded in getting approval to recruit 200 specialised investigators. As such state approval has been taken to recruit accountants, auditors, financial analysts, digital investigators, bonds, securities, banking, international conventions, procurement, construction, engineering, management and public administration officials as special investigators. As many as 8,000 applications have been received and the Examination Commissioner has already conducted an aptitude test.”

Cabinet approval has been received to amend the 25-year-old law pertaining to bribery and corruption. As such, amendments have been made to the Bribery Act, where jurisdiction has been granted to High Courts to hear bribery cases apart from the Magistrate Courts.

Additional amendments pertaining to private sector bribery, sexual bribery, sports bribery and bribery pertaining to foreign diplomats are being carried out by the Legal Draftsman’s Department, the report added. 

“An amendment to the Commission of Inquiry Act has already been placed before Parliament. Debates with regards to the amendment were taken up by the Parliament and have been postponed to a future date. This amendment will empower the Bribery Commission to file cases based on the evidence revealed at the Presidential Commissions of Inquiries. As such, the statements made for Presidential Commissions of Inquiries need not be repeated before the Bribery Commission.”