The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education

¶ 01 Answers to the questions raised by Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana are as follows:

¶ 02 1) In 2024, 86 persons were arrested over bribery allegations. 2) In 2025 (as at 30.06.2025), 34 persons over bribery allegations and 29 persons over corruption allegations have been arrested. Details are as follows: current/former public officials and others. 3) With the introduction of the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) established thereunder has been vested with wider powers than under previous laws. New offences were introduced in addition to earlier bribery or corruption offences, and CIABOC is also empowered with investigation and prosecution over offences under the Penal Code and Offences against Public Property Act, and money laundering under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Since 15.09.2023, investigations, particularly into “corruption” under Section 111 of the Anti-Corruption Act and bribery under Section 70 of the Bribery Act, have been expedited, and mechanisms adopted to conclude long-pending files swiftly. Special focus has been placed on large-scale corruption matters, with processes to conclude such investigations expeditiously. Under Section 47 of the Anti-Corruption Act, powers have been exercised to arrest suspects in large-scale corruption cases involving politicians and senior public officials. CIABOC is a fully independent institution; the Government does not interfere in investigations, arrests or prosecutions. 4) and 5) In addition to investigations and prosecutions, prevention is a focus under the Anti-Corruption Act. Actions include: - Public education and prevention programmes annually across sectors, targeting public officials, children, youth and the general public. - National Anti-Corruption Action Plan 2025–2029: prepared under CIABOC’s mandate, incorporating stakeholder inputs, with MPs consulted on 10.01.2025; approved by Cabinet on 24.03.2025. It sets four main strategies: prevention; education and public participation; enforcement and institutional strengthening; and strengthening the legal and policy framework. Implementation has commenced; a National Operations Committee has been appointed; institutions were oriented at a meeting on 30.07.2025. - Establishment of Internal Affairs Units across the public sector to enhance integrity, with ongoing training. - Integrity and anti-corruption awareness programmes for newly elected local authority members from the 2025 local elections. - Implementation of CIABOC’s Strategic Plan 2025–2026 with multiple programmes.