Seminar on bribery, corruption for PC members

by Ranil Wijayapala

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption held its first seminar to make members of Provincial Councils and officers of institutions under Provincial Councils aware of bribery and corruption in the wake of the increased number of bribery cases reported from Provincial Councils and Local Government authorities.

The first such seminar was conducted by the Commission in Anuradhapura in the North Central Province to educate members of the North Central Provincial Council and officers attached to the Provincial Councils and other government institutions.

According to the Bribery Commission, several officials of Provincial Councils and Chairmen of Pradeshiya Sabhas have been arrested over allegations of bribery during recent raids conducted by the Commission. Chairmen of Walallawita Pradeshiya Sabha and Yatiyantota Pradeshiya Sabha were among those arrested recently by officials of the Bribery Commission.

The seminar in Anuradhapura was organised under the patronage of Governor of the North Central Province Karunaratne Divulgane, Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith and the Chief Secretary to the Council. A large number of councillors from Government and Opposition ranks participated in the seminar.

Chairman of the Bribery Commission K. Balapatabendi, and Commissioner Bribery Dr. Jayantha Wickremaratne participated in the seminar.