By Shamindra Ferdinando

Anti Corruption Front (ACF) has alleged the Secretariat tasked with examining public complaints and direct them to relevant institutions, including the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) or the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) was closed down on June 30.

Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon on behalf of the ACF told The Island that the closure of the outfit manned by professionals should be viewed against the backdrop of 30 complaints it received pertaining to corrupt activities of ministers and secretaries to various ministries of the present government.

A PM’s Office official told The Island that the period of operation of the Secretariat had been periodically extended. Although the term of the Secretariat had lapsed on June 30, the government would take up the matter soon. The official strongly denied claims that the government was making an attempt to suppress investigations. He didn’t rule out the possibility of it being revived.The issue is likely to be discussed at this week’s Cabinet meeting.

The Anti-Corruption Committee Secretariat operates under the direct supervision of the PM’s Office.

In May this year, the PM’s Office said that a committee comprising representatives of the Anti-Corruption Committee Secretariat, FCID and CIABOC were examining the three institutions. On the basis of their report, a decision would be taken whether to continue with the Anti-Corruption Committee Secretariat, amend its responsibilities or it be given responsibilities on par with the CIABOC and FCID.

Recently, the Anti-Corruption Committee Secretariat came under fire for allegedly using vehicles from the Prime Minister’s Office for ‘surveillance’ work.

Tennakoon said that of about 800 complaints received by the Secretariat since its inception soon after January 2015 presidential election, 250 had been examined and sent to the FCID. Of the 250 complaints further investigated by the FCID, the Attorney General had moved court in respect of 42, Tennakoon said.

He said about 700 complaints of corruption out of 800 were against the previous administration.

Courtesy:The Island