Bribery Commission Director General gives undertaking to resign

8 October 2024 05:28 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 8 Bookmark

A A A

The Director General (DG) of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today gave an undertaking to resign from office by 3 p.m. yesterday after the Supreme Court granted leave to proceed with three Fundamental Rights applications filed challenging his appointment.

Three petitioners including the Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) had filed Fundamental Rights Petitions challenging the appointment of Kanishka Wijeratne as the Director General of the Bribery Commission.

The Supreme Court three-judge bench, comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Kumudini Wickremesinghe, and Janak de Silva, granted leave to proceed with the petitions under Article 12(1) of the Constitution. Counsel appearing on behalf of the Director General of the Bribery Commission informed the Court that his client intended to submit his resignation to return to judicial service. As a result, the petitioners agreed not to press for interim relief, provided he resigns by 3 p.m. yesterday.

Viran Corea PC appeared for TISL. Saliya Pieris PC appeared for Vidhura Ralapanawe. Venuka Cooray appeared for Ruwani Niwanthika Fonseka. Senior Additional Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne appeared for the Attorney General. Uditha Egalahewa PC appeared for the Bribery Commission Director General.

Kanishka Wijeratne, who had previously served as the DG of CIABOC since January 2020, was reappointed to the same position on April 2, 2024, following the enactment of the new Anti-Corruption Act.

The TISL's petition contends that Kanishka Wijeratne's appointment violates provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act, lacks procedural integrity and transparency.

The TISL requests the Supreme Court to nullify the appointment or alternatively direct the authorities to remove Wijeratne and appoint a new DG in accordance with the law. The petition further argues that he does not meet all statutory requirements and criteria for the DG role.

Comments - 8

Sambo Tuesday, 08 October 2024 07:39 AM

Probably he was the most corrupted set to look into other peoples bribes.

2 5

Need Younger Professional Head’s Of Department Tuesday, 08 October 2024 08:38 AM

Yes, brand new heads of department should be installed soonest at all government agencies. Those installed due to past political influence must be replaced immediately as there is a high possibility to sabotage the new administration. Preferably younger, educated professionals as head’s of department will create a climate to change old habits and will be more inclined to take up new technologies such as AI.

0 14

Aela Tuesday, 08 October 2024 08:41 AM

Another appointment by unclean Ranil bites the dust.

1 11

Neil Tuesday, 08 October 2024 09:57 AM

He was appointed by Gota.

0 0

banda Tuesday, 08 October 2024 09:22 AM

An investigation should be carried out on the type of cases handled by him if any violation or favoritism to withdraw any cases.

1 6

mohandev Tuesday, 08 October 2024 09:47 AM

Its same old story bla bla bla, new govts

3 0

Perera Tuesday, 08 October 2024 09:50 AM

Being a former High Court Judge didn't he realize that the appointment was unlawful and unconstitutional?

0 5

Jilmart Tuesday, 08 October 2024 09:52 AM

Such a disappointment RW is! His years in the parliament and so called experience in governance all a waste. There is very little difference between RW and Rajapakse clan! All follow the 'face recognition' theory when giving appointments. One clear example is Sagala Ratnayake, who was flying up and down in vehicle conveys with a big security detail. His lack of known National Security is what prompted almost all in Security Forces to vote against RW Yet RW is unable to come clean dumping all this garbage.....

0 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.