Chief Justice corruption allegations have prompted activists and trade unions to demand an impartial investigation by Sri Lanka’s Bribery Commission.
Chief Justice corruption allegations have triggered calls for an impartial investigation after claims involving senior state officials were raised in Parliament and referred to anti-corruption authorities.
The National Trade Unions and Civil Front has urged the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption to examine the allegations concerning Chief Justice Priyath Padman Surasena.
Trade union specialist and social activist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said the claims raised in Parliament by Opposition MPs Rohini Kaviratne, Dayasiri Jayasekara and Ajith P. Perera should not be dismissed without examination.
He argued that allegations concerning officials holding the country’s highest positions require transparent scrutiny if public confidence in governance and the rule of law is to be protected.
Chief Justice Corruption Allegations and Asset Questions
The organisation has called for an independent inquiry into allegations concerning assets reportedly connected to the Chief Justice and members of his family.
These remain allegations and have not been established as fact.
Attention has also focused on the X-Press Pearl disaster and delays surrounding compensation for the severe environmental damage caused by the vessel.
The group has questioned whether senior officials played any role in delaying the recovery of compensation due to Sri Lanka.
It referred to an initial USD 1 billion payment reportedly ordered by a five-judge bench, while also citing claims concerning a further amount exceeding USD 5 billion.
The organisation argues that the full compensation issue deserves greater scrutiny, noting that public discussion has largely centred on the USD 1 billion figure.
Social activist Achala Diwakara also called for practical steps to recover compensation linked to the X-Press Pearl disaster.
He said that if senior state officials have interfered with the recovery process, authorities must investigate those claims rather than dismiss them.
Wider Corruption Claims Also Raised
The National Trade Unions and Civil Front has also called for investigations into other allegations involving state institutions and senior officials.
These include claims concerning container-related fraud, coal procurement, Treasury-related transactions, and allegations previously directed at the Speaker and the current Presidential Secretary.
The organisation says these matters should not remain at the level of political accusations.
Instead, it wants the Bribery Commission and other relevant authorities to investigate the claims and report any legal progress to the courts without unnecessary delay.
The central demand is that no public official, regardless of rank, should stand above the law.
An impartial investigation is therefore necessary to determine whether the allegations are substantiated or unfounded.
For campaigners, the issue is ultimately one of public confidence.
They argue that protecting public funds, recovering money due to the country and establishing the truth behind serious accusations are essential responsibilities of the state.
Until those questions are addressed through credible investigations, the debate over equality before the law and accountability at the highest levels of government is likely to continue.
