Sujith Prasanna Perera’s 20th Death Anniversary: An outstanding investigating officer of SL Customs

Angela Perera, wife of Sujith Perera receiving the National Integrity Award in 2010

The 20th death anniversary of former Customs Assistant Superintendent Sujith Prasanna Perera, who paid the ultimate price for doing his job fearlessly, falls today.
He was shot dead on March 24, 2001 by two gunmen on a motorcycle, when he was driving his car from his residence to work. At the time of his death he was engaged in a series of investigations against unscrupulous importers and certain fellow officers who had worked hand in hand with such importers.  This killing became a case of public interest and after a speedy trial the suspects were brought to book and sentenced to death.
Although twenty years has passed since Sujith’s demise, I am sure it looks like a very short period to his dear ones. Sujith left his wife Angela and his only daughter Ayesha, who was one-and-half years old at the time of his death.

Having joined the Customs Department in 1989 as a new recruit Sujith was posted to the Intelligence and Investigation unit of the department. His investigating skills and ability to handle cases, secured him a place at the Preventive Division, as a Preventive Officer, at a very young age. Sujith became an intelligent and an experienced investigating officer by handling many large fraudulent cases.  His unimaginable understanding of how to handle cases, untiring hard work and in-depth knowledge of the Customs law made him an outstanding and memorable investigating officer of Sri Lanka Customs. 

During his short career, he displayed dedication, courage, and the desire to fight against willful offenders of the Customs law, and in particular, the corruption within the Customs Department. He had a vision for a corruption-free Customs administration, and had no hesitation in leading from the front to expose those who were practicing corruption and to bring them to justice.
He set very high ethical and performance standards to the Customs service and was an example to all officers, irrespective of seniority. He maintained a very high integrity and he had been commended by several heads of the Customs Department as well as by several international investigating agencies with those he worked closely to resolve Customs frauds.

"At the time of his death he was engaged in a series of investigations against unscrupulous importers and certain fellow officers who had worked hand in hand with such importers"

I had the privilege of working with Sujith when I was posted as the Chief Preventive Officer in 1998. I saw his immense capabilities as a great investigating officer. As the Officer-in-Charge of the Investigation Branch of the Preventive Division, Sujith’s only goal was to deliver his duties to the best of his ability with the highest level of integrity without expecting any rewards. I am yet to see such a fearless, committed, dedicated and a passionate officer in the Sri Lanka Customs Department. I feel that Sujith probably was the best investigating officer that our Customs Department has ever produced. Sujith was one of those rare officers who did not bow down to internal, external or political pressure. He focused and committed himself to his job, to the extent of disregarding even death threats against him. He fearlessly fought against the offenders of the Customs law and corruption within the department of Customs. Irrespective of the parties involved, whether it is a politician, a top businessman or a senior Customs officer, he carried out his investigations and never reserved himself, from enforcing the law against the persons concerned. In addition, I found Sujith to be a fair and just officer and was humane in handling cases. 
In recognizing Sujith’s honesty and fearless actions against the corrupted officers within the department of Sri Lanka Customs, the Transparency International Sri Lanka awarded the National Integrity Award 2010 posthumously to late Sujith Prasanna Perera at a ceremony held at the BMICH on December 9, 2010 on International Anti-Corruption Day, well attended by many distinguished guests including the diplomatic corps.  I had the honour of delivering a speech about Sujith on behalf Sri Lanka Customs. The audience stood up with heavy hearts when Angela Perera walked up and received the prestigious award on behalf of her late husband. It was saddening to note that Sujith was not there to receive this award, yet it is heartening to note the country remembered him as a great hero of the land. I felt proud of Sujith who had the courage to deliver his duties with the highest level of integrity. I reckon that the country has lost a good 25 years of Sujith’s service as he was gunned down at his prime and very young age of 35. As we pray for Sujith’s soul, to rest in peace, I feel there will be many of Sujith’s calibre, in the government service who could demonstrate and uphold high level of integrity, and who could fight and stand up against fraud and corruption. It is our duty, to encourage and protect such officers, who could, make a difference, in serving our Motherland, Sri Lanka.