Sri Lanka’s anti corruption spotlight has intensified after the Bribery Commission recorded lengthy statements from a complainant who has formally challenged the source of assets held by six ministers of the current government.
The Bribery Commission yesterday took statements for more than three hours from the complainant linked to allegations concerning the assets of six ministers serving in the present administration. The inquiry relates to a formal complaint filed over suspected disproportionate wealth.
The statements were recorded following a complaint submitted by Jamuni Kamantha Thushara, Chairman of the organization Citizen Power Against Corruption and Waste. The complaint calls for an investigation into how five cabinet ministers and one deputy minister of the current government acquired their assets.
According to the complaint, the Bribery Commission has been requested to examine the assets of cabinet ministers Bimal Ratnayake, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Kumara Jayakody, Sunil Handunnetti and Nalinda Jayatissa, along with Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala. The complaint alleges that the declared assets of these ministers raise serious questions regarding proportionality and transparency.
After providing his statement to the Bribery Commission in response to the summons, Jamuni Kamantha Thushara expressed confidence in the investigative process. “I believe that the Bribery Commission will conduct an independent investigation into this complaint. I am also confident that statements will be taken from these ministers in this regard. It is their duty to act without damaging the public’s trust in the statements made earlier regarding the assets of the ministers.”
He further referred to provisions under the Anti Corruption Act, stating, “According to the Anti-Corruption Act, there is a doubt as to how the assets were acquired, whether the facts they stated are true, and whether they will be tempted to fraudulently show their assets and make further ill-gotten gains in the future.”
The complaint has drawn public attention as demands grow for accountability, financial transparency, and independent investigations into allegations of corruption involving senior government figures.
