Former Parliamentarian Udaya Gammanpila says that the statement made by Nandana Gunathilaka, who even contested the presidential election representing the JVP, regarding Bribery and Corruption Investigation Commission Director General Ranga Dissanayake, is serious.
In an interview with an online channel, he said that no party has denied Nandana Gunathilaka’s statement that Ranga Dissanayake had served as a member of the JVP’s legal committee in the past.
He stated that Nandana Gunathilaka served as the convener of the JVP’s legal committee during that period and that he has the attendance documents signed by Ranga Dissanayake for those meetings.
Accordingly, he says that the question arises as to whether the current Bribery Commissioner is suitable for the position according to the currently in force Anti-Corruption Act 2023. Further analyzing Section 19 of the said Act, Member of Parliament Udaya Gammanpila says as follows.
“The section relevant to the appointment of the Director General of the Bribery Commission states as follows. If a person holds or has held any position or membership in a political party recognized for the purpose of the elections to elect the President, parliamentary elections, or provincial council elections or local government elections (if any have been held in the past), that person cannot be the Bribery Commissioner.”
Accordingly, as Nandana Gunathilaka says, if the Director General of the Bribery Commission was a member of the JVP Legal Committee in the past, his appointment is questionable, Udaya Gammanpila points out.
The Director General must make an affidavit stating that he does not have these disqualifications when he assumes office. As Udaya Gammanpila says, making a false statement in an affidavit is tantamount to perjury in court, and is punishable by seven years in prison under the Penal Code.