• UNODC to assist CIABOC to commence recovery within the coming days 

The Ministry of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms stated that the recovery of the fraudulently earned money deposited in foreign countries will commence within the next few days with the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

During a meeting with the UNODC's South Asian Regional representative Marco Teixeira yesterday (4), the subject Minister, President's Counsel Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said that with new anti-corruption legislation coming into force on 15 September, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) would be empowered to act on such individuals. "The UNODC agreed to extend their support towards the recovery of such money and assets, and the related work will commence in the coming days," the Minister said.

He also briefed the UNODC representative on the judiciary, the proposed anti-terrorism bill, and the proposed reforms to the rehabilitation of drug addicts. "All these legislations bring much benefit to the country. In particular, we have taken several steps, such as preparing new laws with regard to rehabilitation, establishing new rehabilitation centres, and making positive changes to community-based correction programmes," said Dr. Rajapakshe.

Many parties criticise fraud and corruption, which is considered to be one of the main reasons for the country's economic bankruptcy, and the absence of legal provisions to enforce proper punishment for culprits involved in such acts. As a result of continuous demands made by several parties, the Government worked to prepare the new anti-corruption bill, and it was recently passed by a majority vote in Parliament.

In addition to fraudulently earned money and assets that have been deposited locally, incidents of such money and assets being deposited in other countries in order to escape the law are also discussed from time to time. Even the leaders who were in power in the country and their family members were accused of such acts, and many parties allege that no proper investigation has been done in this regard. Dr. Rajapakshe said earlier that, through the new legislation, it would be possible to take action against such individuals.