The Supreme Court was informed yesterday (07) that Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Kanishka Wijeratne has resigned from his position.
President’s Counsel Uditha Igalahewa, who appeared before the Court on his behalf, informed that Wijeratne’s resignation letter has been handed over to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The President’s Counsel mentioned this when the fundamental rights petitions filed against the appointment of the CIABOC Director General were taken up for hearing.
President’s Counsel Igalahewa stated that his client is willing to rejoin the judicial service.
Therefore, he said that the letter of resignation from his position has been handed over to the President.
The attorneys who appeared for the petitioners stated that however due to his appointment, the fundamental rights of the people of the country including their clients have been violated.
After considering the facts presented by both parties, the Court allowed the petition to be heard.
Senior journalist Ruwini Fonseka, energy expert Vidura Ralapanawa, and Transparency International have filed fundamental rights petitions to the Supreme Court against the appointment of Kanishka Wijeratne as the CIABOC Director General.
The petitions have pointed out that Wijeratne was appointed as the CIABOC Director General on April 02.
It is stated in the petitions that however he does not even have the minimum qualification to be appointed to that position.
According to Section 19 of the Bribery or Corruption Commission Act, the minimum qualification for the directorship of the Bribery or Corruption Commission Act is 15 years of experience as a lawyer in criminal law.
It is stated in the petitions that Kanishka Wijeratne acted only as a judicial officer.
