28 March, 2024

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BASL Standing Committee Concerns About Withdrawing Bribery Cases Against Politicians In Power

The Standing Committee of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka on Rule of Law calls upon the Commission to make public the reasons for the withdrawal of the bribery or corruption case against the Chief Minister of the Central Provincial Council.

Sarath Ekanayake - Chief Minister of the Central Provincial Council

Issuing a statement its Convenor Priyantha Gamage says; “Proceedings in Court are open to the public as transparency is an inviolable principle of our legal system.  Thereafter the public has a right to know the reason behind the withdrawal of the case before any evidence was recorded as this is one of the very few cases filed against politicians in power.”

We publish below the statement in full;

It is reported that the Chief Minister of the Central Provincial Council and two others charged by the Commission to Investigate into Allegations of Bribery or Corruption before the Magistrates’ Court of Colombo for allegedly influencing a principal of a school to admit a child was discharged on an application made to Magistrates’ Court by the commission withdrawing the case against the accused.  It is reported that the Commission moved Court by way of a motion to withdraw the case and apparently no reasons were given  in open Courts.  It is presumed as it has to be done under the Act that the commission files a case in Court after a full investigation and after satisfying itself on the available evidence that there is a case to go before a Court.  It is surprising that the commission has withdrawn the case before any evidence was led in Court, and in the absence of the accused who were on bail.

Proceedings in Court are open to the public as transparency is an inviolable principle of our legal system.  Thereafter the public has a right to know the reason behind the withdrawal of the case before any evidence was recorded as this is one of the very few cases filed against politicians in power.

In the best interest of transparency in the administration of justice, we call upon the Commission to make public the reasons for the withdrawal of this case.


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Latest comments

  • 0
    0

    At least why these names related to allegations or accusations are not published ?

    Why the bureaucracy is protecting these people.

    In addition to any legal actions, they should be allowed to settle things in the open forums.

    • 0
      0

      Jim Softy:
      Are your comments now an attempt to prove that the scales have fallen from your (cross-) eyes?

    • 0
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      JimSofty

      “Why the bureaucracy is protecting these people.”

      It is in their long term best interest to protect these and other people.

      Secrecy is a much loved tool among the bureaucrats which cover up their stupidity, inefficiency, corruption,mistakes,incompetency, favoritism,wheeler dealing, hidden agenda ……….

      This not new and it will not stop tomorrow.

      They work on a principle of “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” and get along very well with the political establishment.

      This is why transparency, accountability, good governance, empowerment of ordinary people are far more important than your war winning clan, its cronies, the state, and its institutions.

      Jimmy you are too soft on the above.

    • 0
      0

      Sir,

      1. Let us get this guy to steal 2 coconuts.

      2. Ask him to sell fresh flowers to religious devotees on a pavement somewhere.

      Above mentioned actions are the only ways to have this guy arrested and punished.

      Miracle of Asia!

    • 0
      0

      Why does this statement not name names of the persons against whom the cases were brought – so that the information is in the public domain ?
      This statement is more of the same BS!

  • 0
    0

    If you probe in to their past you will be shocked to what they had what they have now. Now they have become multi milliners but at the start they didn’t have a penny.

  • 0
    0

    They say that: LAW IS AN ASS AND JUSTICE IS BLIND!
    and yet they say democracy is for the people, by the people for all the people!

  • 0
    0

    With the statement from BASL, the matter ends. What is the purpose of the statement? The apparent answer is NATO.

    • 0
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      The Professional

      “The apparent answer is NATO.”

      This is a powerful Western Security Organisation.

      What has it got to do with BASL unless of course you are referring to their past conducts which could only be described as No Actions Talk Only.

      Is it fair?

      Let them talk until the cows come home. Jaw Jaw not war war.

  • 0
    0

    The findings of the Commission on any investigation that is carried out must be available to the public since it is carried out on behalf of the people. It is also important to the person investigated. By keeping the findings secret the people do not know whether a proper investigation has been carried out, nor do they know whether such investigation has been just and fair.

    Another aspect is whether the Bribery Commissioners themselves can be held accountable for their failures and whether they can be investigated for undue influence and corruption.

  • 0
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    How can you accuse ministers ,under M R legislation a politician can take “Gifts” and control charity funds.
    The politicians are contributing their personal funds to help the poor.
    Don’t talk rubbish aney.

  • 0
    0

    These buggers are guilty of not only withdrawing Bribery charges against corrupt Politicians, but also withdrawing indictments against murder accused without inquiry. So What more?

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