Bribery Commission receives over 1,250 complaints in Q1

Tuesday, 6 May 2025 02:36 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Raids lead to 20 arrests including several public officials entrusted with key administrative and law enforcement roles

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has reported a sharp rise in complaints, disclosing that 1,267 complaints were received during the first three months of 2025, underscoring the deep-rooted challenge of public sector corruption in Sri Lanka.

According to the latest update, 24 targeted raids were conducted across the country between January and March, resulting in the arrest of 20 suspects, including several public officials entrusted with key administrative and law enforcement roles.

Officials at the Commission noted that the high volume of complaints points to increased public awareness and confidence in reporting corrupt activities. However, it also reflects the scale of systemic corruption that continues to affect service delivery and governance across the country.

Those arrested include six Police officers, a school principal, a labour officer, a field officer and an officer attached to the Department of Immigration and Emigration, indicating widespread abuse of authority across multiple sectors. The arrests further extended to a Public Health Inspector (PHI), a Development Officer, an employee from the Justice Ministry and an Assessment Officer from the Provincial Revenue Department. Six civilians were also taken into custody in connection with these cases.

The Commission stated that 21 cases have been filed in Court against 24 accused so far this year, marking a robust legal follow-up to the complaints and arrests. These actions come at a time when public demand for cleaner governance is at an all-time high, placing institutions like the Bribery Commission at the centre of Sri Lanka’s fight against corruption.

The Commission has pledged to maintain momentum in its investigations and legal proceedings in the months ahead, reinforcing its commitment to upholding transparency and accountability in both public and private sectors.

Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event including Valentine ’s Day. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Flower Bouquets, Clothing, Watches, Lingerie, Gift Sets and Jewellery. Also if you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.