Sri Lanka’s Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has recorded a statement from a complainant in connection with allegations regarding the assets of six members of the current government, local media reported.
According to the report, the complainant was questioned for over three hours on Tuesday (December 30) regarding a complaint seeking an investigation into how the assets of five Cabinet Ministers and one Deputy Minister were acquired.
The complaint was filed by Jamuni Kamanta Thusara, Chairman of the organisation “Citizen Power Against Bribery, Corruption and Waste,” requesting an inquiry into the declared assets of Cabinet Ministers Bimal Rathnayake, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Kumara Jayakody, Sunil Handunnetti and Nalinda Jayatissa, as well as Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala.
Speaking after providing his statement to the Bribery Commission, the complainant said he expects an independent investigation to be conducted and expressed confidence that statements would also be recorded from the ministers concerned.
He added that public confidence should not be undermined by inconsistencies between past statements made by the ministers regarding their assets and the findings of any investigation.
The complainant further stated that the complaint raises questions under the Anti-Corruption Act regarding the manner in which assets were acquired, the accuracy of disclosures made, and whether there is a risk of further unlawful accumulation of wealth.
The Bribery Commission has not issued an official statement on the matter as yet. (Newswire)