Eternal vigilance, answer against bribery and corruption -PM

Shirley Wijesinghe

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayaka said any person accused of bribery or corruption should be dealt with under the law notwithstanding the status or personal standing of such individual.

Issuing a postal stamp to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day, the Premier said there is a general belief among the public that only small fry fall into the net of the Bribery Commission." The Commission should act to dispel such allegations". He said bribery and corruption in the country cannot be tackled only through the law."

We must take into account that we are dealing with human beings who are not infallible. What we all should strive to do is to live as useful citizens adhering to the "Pancha Sila". He said the Government is obliged to protect,facilitate, and strengthen anti bribery and corruption laws of the country and impose new laws whenever necessary.

"Public vigilance on acts of bribery and corruption could be the best way to eliminate this scourge from our midst", he added. The Premier appreciated the move by Posts and Telecommunications Minister Rauff Hakeem to release a postal stamp to mark International Day against Bribery and Corruption.

Minister Rauff Hakeem, Bribery and Corruption Investigation Commission Director General Piyasena Ranasinghe and Deputy Director General Lakshmi Jayawickrama also addressed.