Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said that the government will establish a mechanism to recover stolen assets in line with the Stolen Assets Recovery Initiative (StAR Initiative) and new measures to investigate corruption and fraud, as promised in the election manifesto.
He noted that new laws are needed to establish a mechanism to recover stolen assets, and the government will consider it in the future as per the mandate given by the people in the last elections.
He said that there is no need to establish a new institution for good governance for this, and that it will continue to function under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which is currently operating.
“Some initiatives can be taken in accordance with existing laws when dealing with corruption and fraud. Other mechanisms such as a special investigation agency to recover stolen assets should be taken only by enacting new laws. The government will definitely initiate measures for this.” Responding to the media, he went further.
Eradicating corruption and fraud was a key campaign theme of the ruling National People’s Power (NPP).