Nihal launches books on corruption in China

As reported in the China Daily of 2 July, 2011, Chinese President Hu Jintao at the 90th Founding Anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the world’s largest political party, in his address on 1 July, 2011 had stated – “The Party is soberly aware of the gravity and danger of corruption that have emerged under the conditions of the Party being long in power.” Hu had further said, “If not effectively curbed, corruption will cost the Party the trust and support of the people. Hu had urged CPC members to bear in mind that all people are equal before the law and that no exception, should be made in enforcing institutional safeguards.

” The important message was that all are equal before the law, without any exception, and the gravity and danger of uncurbed corruption.

Also as reported in the China Daily of 5 July, 2011 at the inauguration of the 3rd Seminar of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA), Secretary of CPC’s Central Commission for Political and Legal Affairs, Zhou Yongkang had been reported to have stated — “Transnational corruption is now a global problem and should be a top priority. We need to strengthen our work with other countries and regions on repatriation of suspects, asset recovery and information exchanges to eliminate ‘safe havens’ of corruption, and increase co-operation in punishing and preventing corruption”. Zhou had acknowledged, however, that the relevant laws, policies and mechanisms are incomplete in China, adding: “The soil for breeding corruption still exists, with some sectors particularly prone to corruption.”

At this 3rd Seminar of IAACA, Sri Lanka’s public interest activist, Nihal Sri Ameresekere, FCA., FCMA, CMA, CFE, had launched six Books on combating corruption and economic crime. Ameresekere having released in Washington, New York, Miami and Los Angeles, five Books in May 2011, released at the 3rd IAACA Seminar in Shanghai his 6th Book titled — ‘Fiscal Mismanagement - Lack of Public Accountability’. He announced that the next book on the ‘United Nations Convention Against Corruption’ would be released shortly. The books are published and marketed by US publisher AuthorHouse. Dr. Ye Feng, Secretary General of IAACA had issued a message confirming that – “IAACA was pleased that one of its members, Nihal Sri Ameresekere, in keeping with the objectives of IAACA, had taken a step to author and publish a series of books, dealing with real case studies in combating the global cancerous menace of economic fraud and corruption, which threatens good governance and the well being of people. The contents of this series of books would, no doubt, be of material relevance and of educational value to anti-corruption authorities globally”.

The UN Convention Against Corruption had been adopted by the General Assembly in October 2003, and had come into force in December 2005, upon the ratification by 30 countries. Sri Lanka was the 2nd country to have ratified the Convention on 31 March, 2004. Today 152 countries had ratified the UN Convention Against Corruption. To promote and facilitate the implementation of the UN Convention Against Corruption, IAACA had been inaugurated in Beijing in October 2006, as an international organisation.

At IAACA’s inauguration with over 900 delegates from international anti-corruption authorities and others involved in combating fraud and corruption from 137 countries, and over a dozen international organisations participating, the Key Note Address had been delivered by President Hu Jintao of the People’s Republic of China. He had been reported in the China Daily of October 24, 2006 to have emphasised that China was fully committed to fighting corruption – “We see the fight against corruption a top priority, a pressing task that has great influence on the overall development of the country, and which affects the fundamental interest of the people, equality, justice, social harmony and stability”

Dimitri Vlassis, Chief, Corruption & Economic Crime Division, United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime (UNODC) at the 3rd IAACA Seminar in Shanghai in July 2011, as reported in the China Daily had reiterated —  “Since its inception in Beijing in October 2006, the IAACA has worked to promote the effective implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, leading to closer international cooperation. “Now, more than ever, it’s necessary to join forces to face common challenges, to constantly adapt to the sophisticated nature of corruption and the inherent difficulty of finding the most appropriate ways to fight it,”

Ameresekere had also been invited to make a presentation to the highly reputed and respected Independent Commission Against Corruption in Hong Kong. He had been received by its head, Commissioner, Dr. Timothy H.M. Tong to whom Ameresekere had presented a set of books, which are to be included in the prestigious library of the ICAC, which is visited daily by international fraud and economic crime investigation organisations.

The United States Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ President & CEO, James D. Ratley has also commended Ameresekere’s books – “I am amazed at the amount of effort and research that it must have taken to write these important works.

 We are adding these to our fraud library here at the ACFE Headquarters in Austin, Texas. They are a worthy addition to our library. It is heartening to know that we have members such as you, who give of their time and talents in the ongoing fight against fraud and corruption.”