The much awaited Presidential Commission to probe the controversial bond transaction was appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday. The Commission, which includes two sitting judges and a retired Deputy Auditor General, was named last evening following the announcement of Sirisena’s decision to appoint a Presidential Commission earlier this week, just a day ahead of the Parliamentary debate on the matter. 

Yesterday, the President nominated Supreme Court Judges K. T. Chithrasiri, P. S. Jayawardena and retired Deputy Auditor General K. Velupillai as members of the Commission to probe into the transaction. 

The commission is mandated not only to probe in to the procedure of the transaction but also the practices of the Employee Provident Fund (EPF), State Minister of Finance Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana told the media earlier this week. 

He also said that the Commission is to submit its report in three months’ time, with the possibility of a short term extension. 

Dialogue on corruption extremely important: President

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said that a broad social dialogue regarding corruption, fraud and waste had emerged within the country during the last two years after he assumed duties as the President.

The President further said that the dialogue was very timely and he considered it as an initiative to prevent corruption, fraud and waste.

He made these remarks while addressing an event to celebrate International Customs Day, which fell yesterday, held at the Sri Lanka Customs auditorium. This year’s ‘International Customs Day’ theme is Data Analysis for Effective Border Management.

President Sirisena also said that the responsibilities and duties of Sri Lanka Customs lay within a wider area in the process of building a better society as well as its contribution to the national economy of the country.

The President appreciated the assistance given by the Department of Customs for the drug prevention program of the Government and further commended the service rendered by the Department of Customs in conducting raids to control drugs being smuggled into the country.

President Sirisena further said that he believed that the Department of Customs would contribute its utmost to achieving the sustainable development goals of the country.

During the ceremony, the President presented a Certificate of Merit from the World Customs Organization to Customs officials. A special memento was presented to the President.

A CD, which contained a Customs tax volume, Customs guide and Customs supplement for the newspapers, was presented to the President.

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, Customs Director General Chulananda Perera and Customs staff participated in the event.