News
IRD takes new measures against corruption
View(s):- Outgoing Tax Chief says if corruption is not killed, it will kill Sri Lanka
- Taxpayers encouraged to report corrupt officials directly or anonymously
By S. Rubatheesan
A system of referring complaints against tax officials to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) is also part of the mechanism.
The details setting out the new mechanism were released by the IRD’s outgoing Commissioner General D.R.S. Hapuarachchi on Thursday, a day before his retirement after a long service period.
“Any corruption including bribes offered or demanded cannot be tolerated and the aggrieved parties are encouraged to collect evidence for such corruption through audio/video recordings by mobile phones, CCTV, and other means to make the complaint to the proper authorities including the CIABOC,” the Commissioner General said.
The new proactive measures include setting up a complaint box at the IRD head office premises by the CIABOC where complaints can be lodged since it is a relevant authority to investigate corruption-related complaints.
Allegations of corruption against an IRD employee will be given special attention with two ways of complaining either with the name, address, and contact details of the complainant or with supporting documents but the complainant could remain anonymous, according to the notice. “Sense of security and safety of the complainant from any adverse consequence of a complaint made against any employee of IRD is guaranteed,” he said.
If an allegation has been made by a taxpayer against a tax official who was involved in auditing such taxpayer’s business, such audit proceedings will be stopped if there is prima facie evidence that the allegation was established or apparent, the notice said. It pointed out that the measure was “for the elimination of the fear of harassment to the complainant-taxpayer by fellow employees of IRD and for encouraging the taxpaying public to come forward against corruption.”
These new measures are introduced based on the recommendations of a three-member committee headed by the former Deputy Commissioner General (Tax Policy, Legislation, Rulings and International Affairs), N.M.M. Mifly. The committee handed over its report earlier this year.
An internal preliminary inquiry committee consisting of senior officials within the department will investigate allegations and if strong evidence emerges, the relevant officer will be transferred to the pool until the completion of a formal inquiry.
“If more than fifty percent of committee members are of the view that there was substantial truth in the allegation, such a case should be referred to CIABOC with a report for further action,” the notice said.
Pointing out that “If you don’t kill Corruption, it will kill Sri Lanka’’, the Commissioner General encouraged taxpayers to pay the correct tax amount after taking all benefits according to the law and contributing to the development process of the country.
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