Nov 17, Colombo: The parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (CPPF) has recommended reconsidering the pay scale for the head of the Bribery Commission, given that the position of the head of the main institution established to stop corruption in the country is special.

The Committee on Public Finance recommended yesterday (16) that the salary scale of the Chairman of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) established under the Anti-Corruption Act passed by the Parliament should be strengthened and the current proposed salary scale be reviewed and approved by the Cabinet.

This was discussed yesterday (16) when the proposal related to the salary and allowances of the Director General and other members of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, was referred to the Committee on Public Finance chaired by Dr. Harsha de Silva, for its approval.

The Chair of the Committee emphasized that the position of the head of the main independent institution appointed to stop corruption in Sri Lanka is a special position and the relevant salary scale should be stronger to match its dignity and value.

Officials of the Management Services Department stated that considering the existing salary scales in the judicial service, these salaries were proposed to be similar to the salary scales of the High Court Judges. Moreover, the Committee Chair pointed out that the Parliament has the power to decide this salary scale.

It was disclosed that although the Chairpersons of other Commissions have the ability to connect with additional sources of income, the Chairperson of this Commission does not have such permission.

State Minsiters Shehan Semasinghe, Dr. Seetha Arambepola, Members of Parliament Chandima Weerakkody, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, M. A. Sumanthiran, Wajira Abeywardena, Nimal Lanza, Dr. Kavinda Jayawardhana, Mayantha Dissanayake, Harshana Rajakaruna, Dr. Major Pradeep Undugoda, Sahan Pradeep Withana, and Madhura Withanage were present at this Committee meeting.