Sri Lanka: Prosecutions of Bribery and Corruption

Abstract

The recent legislation on bribery and corruption enacted in Sri Lanka is part of the global awakening to the demoralising effect of corruption in society. Prior to 1994, the law relating to bribery was contained in ss. 158, 159 and 160 of the Penal Code of Sri Lanka and the Bribery Act No. 11 of 1954. The Bribery (Amendment) Act No. 20 of 1994 enacted by the Parliament of Sri Lanka, has not only brought about a structural change in the enforcement machinery in respect of offences under the Bribery Act, but has also for the first time made ‘corruption’ an offence. By the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption Act No. 19 of 1994, a permanent Commission (henceforth referred to as ‘the Commission’) has been set up for the investigation of offences of bribery and corruption. The Commission is intended to be an independent body free from extraneous pressures including government influence. The powers exercised earlier by the Bribery Commissioner, have now been vested in this Commission. It was the thinking of the Government of Sri Lanka that the Bribery Commissioner, being a public servant and a Head of a Government Department, is susceptible to the influence of corrupt public officers.

Citation

Marsoof, S. (1999), "Sri Lanka: Prosecutions of Bribery and Corruption", Journal of Financial Crime, Vol. 6 No. 3, pp. 287-290. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb025899