Colombo, November 17 (Daily Mirror) - Former President Maithripala Sirisena said that he does not like to hear that those who ruled the country over the past 74 years had ruined it. 

Addressing the 45th National Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) which was held yesterday, he said the leaders appointed after independence were not involved in any matters related to corruption and fraud.

He further said that no matter how many good provisions exist in the Constitution or laws, and no matter how many rules and regulations are passed in Parliament to stop corruption and fraud, those appointed to higher positions may ignore these laws and still commit corruption and fraud.

Former President Sirisena said that he did not let any fraud or corruption incidents occur during his tenure.

"A country always develops as long as the ruler is good. The President, Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers should be free from corruption and fraud.

"Whatever Acts are passed in Parliament, those appointed to positions of power must have a genuine intention not to steal, destroy or rob the country's assets. This mindset should be passed from the rulers to every citizen in the country.

"Nothing can even be done during election campaigns without arrack. They need good buses for the campaigns and good lunch packets. That is also corruption," he said.