Bribery Commission now functional 

[July 8, 2004 - 10.00 GMT]

President Chandrika Kumaratunga today appointed Mr. K. Viknarajah as a member of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. Mr. K. Viknarajah is a former Appeal Court Judge and has served as Head of the Public Service Commission and was Governor of the Western Province.

The Bribery and Corruption Commission has been non functional since death of one of the three Commissioners T.N. Abeyawira in February 2001. The law required that the vacancy be filled only by either a retired Supreme Court or Appeal Court judge, and that the Commission cannot function unless all three Commissioners sit.

Apparent procrastination by the Constitutional Council and a refusal by a respected former Court of Appeal judge to apply for a long-standing vacancy in the Bribery and Corruption Commission had stalled probes on more than 500 investigations against politicians including cabinet ministers, and public servants. 

The other members of the three-member Commission are Mr. S. Anandacoomaraswamy its Chairman and Mr. Kingsley Wickramasooriya.

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Last Updated Date: July 7, 2004  - 8.45 GMT.