ECONOMYNEXT – Transparency Worldwide Sri Lanka (TISL), the island nation’s corruption watchdog, has urged stronger safeguards and judicial oversight to implement the newly enacted Proceeds of Crimes Act (POCA) efficiently.
The POCA was handed within the parliament early this week unanimously.
“TISL additionally attracts consideration to a number of issues that should be addressed to make sure the Act’s profitable implementation,” the TISL stated in an announcement.
“Stronger safeguards and judicial oversight are essential inside investigation processes to stop the misuse of powers and uphold due course of.”
It additionally stated the Proceeds of Crime Administration Authority (PCMA) should perform with the very best requirements of transparency, and board members must be adequately and pretty compensated to draw certified professionals and scale back corruption dangers.
“Likewise, the Victims of Crime Reparations Belief Fund should be ruled with clear choice standards, time period limits, disqualification processes, and robust conflict-of-interest safeguards to keep up public belief.”
“Along with implementation points, TISL stays involved about broader challenges in Sri Lanka’s legislative course of,” it stated.
“The event of this regulation highlighted continued translation errors from English to Sinhala, which threat undermining its intent and utility—notably because the Sinhala model has authorized priority.”
“These points reinforce the necessity for institutionalised mechanisms for public and professional participation from the earliest levels of lawmaking, to make sure readability, coherence, and alignment with the general public curiosity and worldwide requirements.”
“Trying forward, TISL urges the federal government and implementing establishments to make sure that the Proceeds of Crime Act is utilized with integrity, equity, and transparency. This consists of the accountable and open administration of recovered property, sturdy public oversight, and making certain that these highly effective instruments are used proportionately and in keeping with the regulation’s meant concentrate on grand corruption and severe crime.”
It stated the last word purpose should stay clear: “to make sure that corruption and crime don’t pay—and that stolen wealth is returned to its rightful homeowners, whether or not people or the general public at massive.” (Colombo/April 10/2025)
