Corruption forced Goverment to obtain loans : President

President Maithripala Sirisena today (Feb 27) stressed that the government would not have been forced to obtain loans and borrow to pay off debts if fraud and corruption did not take place in state institutions.

Addressing the 61st anniversary of the Sri Lanka Audit Service Association in Battaramulla, the President claimed that the instigators of the bond scam will not be punished unless the present government is removed from power.

He also charged that the government was intentionally delaying the amendment of the bribery and corruption act in a bid to evade arrest.

Mr. Sirisena once again reiterated that the forensic audit on the bond scam dealings have still not commenced.

On the same lines, he stressed that it would take around 15-20 years to take action against these suspects under the existing laws.

President Sirisena also called on the relevant stakeholders to act upon the recommendations of the Presidential Commission that was appointed to probe into the financial irregularities that had taken place before 2015.

"Over 1000 complaints have been received by these commissions which were appointed to investigate financial frauds that were committed by my government as well" the President remarked.

Mr. Sirisena who continued his hard hitting remarks against the government also claimed that certain members of the government had attempted to obstruct the establishment of the Auditor Service Commission out of fear.

"There is no need to have such fear if one has served the country with utmost sincerity," he quipped.

During his address, President Sirisena lauded the measures taken by the Auditor General's Department to safeguard its dignity against the backdrop of several state bodies being involved in destroying the country's resources and the people's money.