Government proposes amendments to the bribery and corruption law

[September 25, 2003 - 10.15 GMT]

The government of Sri Lanka has proposed amendments to the bribery and corruption law, they would be “in keeping with the spirit of the 17^th Amendment”, government spokesman Prof. G.L. Peiris said today.

“The government is naturally concerned about the current situation regarding the Bribery and Corruption Commission. There has been difficulty in appointing the third commissioner to fill the vacancy since the demise of its chairman in February this year,” Prof. Peiris told the media in Colombo.

“Minister of Justice, W.J.M Lokubandara yesterday placed before Cabinet the proposed amendments to the bribery and corruption law. The most important amendment was the legislation that would enable the commission to function even in the interim after the death or the resignation of a member,” he further said. 

The government spokesman said currently a provision prevents the commission from functioning when there is a vacancy and that the government wants to remove this impediment and give the commission the legal capability to function. 

Other suggested amendments presented to Cabinet were an increase in the number of commissioners, from three to five and to the appointment of the Director General (DG) of the Bribery commission. Now it is the President who appoints the DG in consultation with the commissioners. The government proposes that the Constitutional Council recommends the DG for appoinment. 

“This is in keeping with the spirit 17^th Amendment, to ensure complete objectivity with regard to the functioning of important bodies, such as the Elections Commission, the National Police Commission, the Bribery and Corruption Commission, without any political influence or prejudice,” said the government spokesman. 

He said however President Chandrika Kumaratunga had requested the Cabinet not to make a decision regarding the amendments, till the return of PM Wickremesinghe, as she had reservations regarding some of the amendments.

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Last Updated Date: September 25, 2003  -10.15 GMT.