By: Staff Writer
July 06, Colombo (LNW): Japanese International Cooperation Agency JICA’s initiative in supporting the Sri Lankan authorities to combat bribery and corruption is being continued in Sri Lanka.
On the 26th of June, JICA held the first Workshop under the training programme for Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) focusing on the topics of Deferred Prosecution, Non-Conviction based Forfeiture and FATF requirements for investigation and prosecution of Money Laundering.
The eminent Resource Persons included Barristers-at-Law Rodney Dixon, KC, Paul Mylvaganam and Zayd Ahmed from United Kingdom, and Dr. Ayesh Ariyasinghe, Additional Director of FIU of Sri Lanka.
The Barristers-at-Law shared their insight and experience into the use and importance of Deferred Prosecution and Non-Conviction Based Forfeiture in taking effective corrective action and deterrence of bribery and corruption in UK. The sessions from Dr. Ariyasinghe focused on the mandatory elements which should be considered in taking effective action against Money Laundering.
The participants included over 30 investigators and prosecutors of CIABOC, officers of the Attorney General’s Department and Sri Lanka Police.
JICA will continue to work with CIABOC and other justice sector professionals to combat and prevent bribery and corruption in Sri Lanka.
As a key step of JICA’s initiative in supporting the Sri Lankan authorities to combat bribery and corruption, a series of introductory workshops were conducted for the officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) as well as other key actors of the justice system.
The Workshops introduced the topics of Whistleblower Protection, Deferred Prosecution Agreements and Anti Money Laundering measures which come under the purview of the CIABOC through the new Anti Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, which came into operation in September 2023.
The Act significantly widens the scope, authority and responsibility of CIABOC, and provides it with instruments some of which no other law enforcement agency possesses. The Workshops were intended to support CIABOC and other stakeholders in effective use and implementation of these provisions.
The Workshops were organized by JICA in collaboration with the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL). The Workshops brought together eminent Sri Lankan legal experts who were joined by international experts from Japan, United Stated Department of Justice, United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom and the Asia Pacific Group for Anti Money Laundering, enabling the participants to gain from a wide array of insight and experience.
