The country statement which has been delived by Justice W.L.R.Silva, Commissioner, Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, Sri Lanka in the First Resumed Eleventh Session of the Implementation Review Group(IRG) and the Eleventh Session of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on the Prevention of Corruption - United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) held from 31st August-2nd September 2020, in Vienna. The Sessions would be held in Hybrid format and the Sri Lanka delegates joined the meeting by virtually from the CIABOC office in Colombo.

A Report by Sarath Jayamanne PC

 ARE CITIZENS SHIRKING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY? THE REALITY OF CURBING CORRUPTION IN SRI LANKA - Sarath Jayamanne*

The Sri Lankan delegation comprised of Commissioner Mr. Neville Guruge and Director General Mr. Sarath Jayammane (PC), attended the Eighth Session of the Conference of the Sates parties to the UN convention against Corruption (COSP) in Abu Dhabi which was held from 16th-20th December 2019.

Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) is encouraged by the convictions handed down by the Special High Court Trial-at-Bar, which sentenced the former President’s Chief of Staff I.H.K. Mahanama and the former Chairman of the State Timber Corporation P. Dissanayaka to 20 years and 12 years rigorous imprisonment respectively. Both men were found guilty of soliciting a bribe of Rs.100 million and accepting an advance payment of Rs. 20 million from an Indian businessman, who was the complainant in this case.

On the 16th of December 2019 at the side lines of the 8th state party conference to the UNCAC, the Colombo commentary on Jakarta principles will be launched by the UNODC. In light of this event the Director General of CIABOC, Sarath Jayamanne has been invited to make a presentation on Independence and efficiency of anti-corruption agencies.

A Discussion was held between Mr Sarath Jayamanne President’s Counsel, Director General of CIABOC and the Mr. Colm Fhay, Legal Analysts –Election Observation Mission European Union on impending Election of Sri Lanka and Anti-Corruption drive in the Country. Mr Fhay is in Sri Lanka as an Independent Observer for the impending Presidential election.

An Experience Sharing Session with the delegation of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Kingdom of Bhutan comprised of Mr. Jamtsho, Commissioner ACC, Mr. A. Karma Rinzin, Director, ACC, Mr. Leki Dendup, Chief Integrity Promotion Officer ACC, Ms. Sangay Lhamo, Assistant Integrity Promotion Officer ACC, and Mr. Sonam Wangdi, Legal Officer, ACC was held last week from October 14 – 18 at the Mövenpick Hotel, Colombo 03 on the invitation of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

A Five-members delegation from Anti - Corruption Commission of Bhutan has been visited to Sri Lanka for sharing experiences with CIABOC officers. The delegation is headed by the commissioner Mr. Jamtsho of Anti - Corruption Commission of Bhutan.The delegation will stay in Sri Lanka from 14th - 18th October 2019.During the visit the delegation will meet the chief Justice , President of Court of Appeal and the Attorney General as well.

The Director General today had discussions with two anti-corruption experts from United Kingdom, Mark Rainsford, Q.C and Eva Vander Merwe. Importance of the anti-corruption modules to the legal education and the best practices on the proceeds of crime were the subjects of discussion.

After the presentation of the Director General as a panellist in UNCAC 10th Session open-ended IRG meeting at Vienna,Austria,the various countries representatives visited Director General to the CIABOC- Sri Lanka Mr. Sarath Jayamanne President's Counsel and express their appreciations.Here are some pictures from that meeting and after.

Presentation done by Director General , CIABOC - Sri Lanka as a Panellist to the UNCAC tenth session open-ended IRG Meeting  on National Action Plan for Combatting and Bribery and Corruption in Sri Lanka.