“The statement by the President questioning whether the Criminal Investigation Department, Financial Crimes Investigation Division and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption act according to a political agenda should not be taken lightly and if those institutions are manipulated according to someone’s political agenda the President should reveal it to the country. The whole country knows that despite several ministers who have joined the government have various allegations of frauds against them; no investigations are being carried out against them. It should be made known whether these investigation too do not take place due to political agendas states” the media release issued by the JVP regarding a statemet made by the President.
Full text of the media release:
“Stop issuing statements weakening legal actions & moves against crimes!”
A statement made by President Maithripala Sirisena at Foundation Institute yesterday (12th) has been published in all newspapers today (13th) as a lead. We consider the statement indicating suspicion that the CID, FCID and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption act according to a political agenda as a serious one. It seems that the President, in his speech, has challenged the aspirations and the mandate of the 6.2 million people who voted for Mr. Maithripala Sirisena on 8th January, 2015 to bring good governance and democracy against frauds and corruption committed during Rajapaksa regime.
If the defeated Rajapaksa clique attempts to create a viewpoint among security sections against the government by wrongly interpreting moves being carried out by institutions that investigate frauds, corruption and crimes committed during the past, what the government needs to do is to defeat such attempts but not act to weaken or dishearten the institutions that carry out such investigations.
The statement by the President questioning whether the Criminal Investigation Department, Financial Crimes Investigation Division and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption do act according to a political agenda should not be taken lightly. For, he is the head of the government as well as the state. If these institutions are manipulated according to someone’s political agenda the President should reveal it to the country. The whole country knows that despite several ministers who have joined the government have various allegations of frauds against them; no investigations are being carried out against them. It should be made known whether these investigation too do not take place due to political agendas.
The President has also mentioned independent commissions. Independent commissions were appointed according to the 19th amendment also with the mediation of the present government. It is a demand of people’s civil organizations and was a main promise given to the people by the government. Even with certain shortcomings manipulating the institutions by a commission is better for democracy than when they are manipulated by an individual. Hence, belittling independent commissions, claiming those who are involved in them do not know to govern, cannot be accepted. Making statements or taking moves to weaken institutions that carry out genuine investigations in connection with frauds, corruption and crimes and thereby weaken such investigations is counter to the mandate. Also, it brings pleasure to those who committed large scale financial frauds and corruption during the previous regime and a boost to their false accusations against institutions that carry out investigations against them; a move to incapacitate them. Now, certain individuals in the present government too are being accused of bribe taking, frauds and abuse of power. Frightening and weakening institutions that carry out investigations into such frauds, corruption and crime would encourage those who are already engaged in such vice and those who anticipate committing such crime.
Hence, we demand the government to stop taking steps to weaken investigations and legal moves that are being carried out against those who defrauded public funds, were involved in financial frauds and other crimes, also hasten investigations that have not yet begun against those who are involved in financial frauds and crimes and to honour mandate of the people.
Political Bureau
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna
13.10.2016