COLOMBO – Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has expressed concerns about the lack of urgency in addressing allegations against police officers investigating major corruption cases, warning it could have a detrimental impact on public trust in the justice system.
In a statement issued on Monday (21), TISL said past incidents, including unwarranted contact between politicians and investigators, illustrate interference by political authorities undermine the impartiality and credibility of investigations.
TISL’s Executive Director, Asoka Obeyesekere, observing that Sri Lanka has witnessed serious allegations being levelled at investigative officers in the recent past, based on altered testimony provided by witnesses, urged, “These allegations must be taken seriously, and it is important that the authorities act swiftly to ascertain their accuracy”.
TISL highlighted the Handbook on Police Accountability, Oversight and Integrity published by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which notes “A culture, valuing loyalty over integrity, facilitates misconduct by keeping it concealed. Any attempt to enhance police integrity needs to be accompanied by measures to enhance transparency and stimulate a culture of openness,” and observer the TISL’s Global Corruption Barometer: Sri Lanka 2019 report had revealed that while 73% of the public had either a fair amount or a great deal of trust in the judiciary, in the case of the police, the figure was 57%.
Obeyesekere said ensuring the accountability of police under the law was crucial to building public trust in police investigations and prosecutions, adding, “It is essential that this takes place in the absence of political interference, which otherwise serves to undermine the credibility of the very same accountability process”.
He also urged that actions against police personnel not be seen as politically motivated, as this can send an alarming message to investigative officers, discouraging them from investigating those in positions of power due to potential repercussions
-ENCL