Critics of the proposed anti-corruption bill should come forward with their own suggestions to improve it, Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Minister, Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said yesterday (02).

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Minister Rajapakshe pointed out that if the provisions contained in the proposed anti-corruption bill, as claimed by certain parties, are not sufficient to eliminate corruption, the critics should work to suggest which provisions should be included.

His comments come in the wake of former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, during whose regime the existing Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Act No. 19 of 1994 was introduced, recently charging that the proposed Bill does not include any provision to prevent people from engaging in acts of corruption.

When asked by The Daily Morning to inquire about the allegation, Dr. Rajapakshe said that if critics were to put forward suggestions to improve the bill, he, being the subject Minister, would consider such. However, if someone needs to keep the existing legal provisions with regard to corruption as they are, he said that it is nothing but endorsing corruption.

"Every bill is subjected to amendments at the committee stage, so if there are any amendments to be made, they can be considered when this Bill is tabled in Parliament. Also, if someone says that this Bill is not good, they should assign reasons. If they say that its provisions are not sufficient, they must also say that such and such provisions should be included in it. It is not reasonable for them to merely criticise it without pointing out what the lapses are," added Dr. Rajapakshe.

He explained that all parties including civil organisations which are working towards the elimination of corruption have engaged in preparing the Bill. "We would not have wasted our time to prepare a Bill which cannot be effectively implemented. This was prepared after having lengthy discussions with the relevant parties. Even then, if there are suggestions to improve this further, we welcome them. One can also challenge the Bill in the Supreme Court if there is any illegality."

Kumaratunga said last week that there is nothing in the proposed anti-corruption bill to prevent people from engaging in corrupt activities. “The provisions of the Bill focuses on what to do when someone is identified as a crook, but there is nothing to prevent people from engaging in such acts. Corruption has become a key feature in Sri Lanka since 1977 despite some efforts by political leaders. 75% in Parliament (75% of Parliamentarians) are crooks,” the former president said.