(Lanka-e-News -19.May.2016, 11.30PM) It was by a sheer quirk of fate that president Maithripala Sirisena had to leave for Britain to attend the world’s first conference of State leaders that was being held against corruption at all levels , at about the same time as Kurunegala district M.P. Medamulana Percy Mahendra Rajapakse left for Uganda , a country best noted for worst corruption . When Mahinda like the fly was heading towards stinking feces the favorite haunt of contaminating flies , and to carry back death and disease to the people , Maithripala on the other hand like the bee was heading towards the pollen of scented flower , that is Britain to carry back honey that is of immense value to mankind.
This conference of State leaders is of tremendous significance because , while State leaders are holding conferences even in relation to cakes , it is the first time after 70 years since the second world war ended , the conference aimed at eradicating corruption is being held by world’s State leaders . This inaugural conference against corruption in which the world is now steeped in is being attended by leaders of 42 powerful countries including USA ,U.K., France, Germany , Italy , Japan and China .
Sri Lanka being included among the 42 countries attending the conference is a salutary index that SL which was notorious during the Rajapakse era as a most corrupt country , and owing to which even sanctions were imposed , has now been issued a ‘certificate’ that it has now transformed into a country opposed to corruption.
This is a conference which is distinct from others : This conference is unlike others in which while one State leader speaks others yawn .At this conference the participants debate on the basic issues face to face within the hall .
President Maithripala Sirisena who attended this conference for the first time spoke in English when addressing the conference of the State leaders of the world. He was well received by the other state leaders and most warmly welcomed. The speech made by president Maithripala is hereunder.
''I thank Hon. Mr. David Cameron, Prime Minister for inviting me to attend this Anti-Corruption Summit in London. I consider this summit a significant step to combine our collective efforts to fight corruption that is wide spread all over the world.
Corruption is one of the factors that promote political violence and other forms of human rights abuses. Sri Lanka went through such a stage during the previous administration. The people reacted strongly against corruption by changing the corrupt administration by the power of the ballet in January 2015 at the Presidential election and again at the Parliamentary election in the August 2016.
The people acting democratically got rid of the corrupt leaders and their supporters. The current national unity government consists of the two major political parties in the parliament under my leadership and the other led by Prime Minister Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe. We were elected to office on the policy platform of democracy, good governance and rule of law. Therefore, we consider our prime duty to root out of corruption from the country. We have already taken significant measures for this purpose. I am happy to inform this forum that with the introduction of the 19th amendment to the constitution I handed over most of the executive powers to the Parliament except those powers Supreme Court decided cannot be transferred. However, even under this limited situation as a demonstration of my commitment to transparency, accountability and the rule of law and my firm determination to route out corruption I established an anti-corruption secretariat, a special presidential commission to investigate. I also appointed a commission to investigate allegations of bribery and corruption. The Right to Information Act has been presented to the Parliament and the National Audit Act will be presented to the Parliament shortly. All these institutions are working satisfactorily. A special division within the police titled Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) was established to expedite investigations on major financial crimes. They have been given all necessary facilities to carry out their duties. They have already commenced flings of several major financial charges. We note with appreciation the support and cooperation already extended to Sri Lanka by several countries including UK, USA , India and Switzerland as well as the World Bank to strengthen the investigative agencies regarding the stolen assets. We are in the process of seeking information and assistance to trace them . We are happy that summit proposes to establish an International Anti- Corruption Centre, all of us as leaders need to act collectively to strengthen our own law enforcement agencies to track the corrupt and recover the proceeds of corruption. Sri Lanka is fully committed to such firm action.''
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by (2016-05-20 16:06:01)
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