FCID refers 93 completed probes to AG’s Dept.

Monday, 11 December 2017 01:13 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) has completed 93 investigations, which have been referred to the Attorney General’s Department for advice on legal action.

The status quo of FCID investigations and other measures by the Government to tackle corruption was revealed by Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayaka on Saturday in conjunction with International Anti-Corruption Day.

He said to date the FCID has received 370 cases of which 73 have been forwarded to other bodies for investigations.

Ratnayaka also said the CID had conducted 38 investigations – 24 cases involving people while the remaining 14 involved property. Seventeen of these cases have been referred to the Attorney General’s Department for legal advice.

The Minister identified the establishment of the FCID as a key milestone in the battle against corruption as it was entrusted with the task of probing financial crime in a fair and impartial manner.

Apart from the FCID, the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Serious Acts of Fraud and Corruption (PRECIFAC) was also set up under the Government and this showed the Government’s commitment to probe bribery and corruption.

“Alongside these new establishments, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was passed in Parliament, which enabled the setting up of independent commissions. Independent commissions, as we all know, ensure a vibrant democracy and allow transparency in the country’s system of government – a major deterrent to corruption,” Ratnayaka added.