Rajitha asks FCID to go for the big fish 

by Zacki Jabbar-February 11, 2017, 7:05 pm

The government says that the Financial Crimes Investigation Division was established to investigate mega corruption during the Rajapaksa regime, but unfortunately that objective had not been achieved.

Asked as to what had happened to the governments pledge to unearth billions of rupees in State funds that the Rajapaksa’s had allegedly siphoned off while in power, Co-Cabinet Spokesman and Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said on Friday that the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) had produced results, but that was pertaining to "small cases  which even the CID could probe.It is a very disappointing situation because the people expect us to recover the stolen monies, which rightfully belong to them."

He pointed out that the FCID was  established to inquire into large scale financial scandals that had occurred under the last government and it should be mindful of that fact, without getting distracted by small frauds, would only help the big time crooks to cover their tracks with each passing day.

Admitting that proper investigations did take time, Senaratne emphasised that those entrusted with the task, should not lose focus of their mandate.

The FCID is directly accountable for carrying out investigations into serious financial fraud, misuse of state assets or funds, cases of a nature that require intellectual skills and complex detection.

Taking a swipe at the Bribery and Corruption Commission, the Minister said that it too needed to speed up matters.

Senaratne who had earlier accused the Attorney General’s Department of dragging its feet with regard to cases against the Rajapaksas observed that the situation had improved under the new Attorney General.

He expressed confidence that despite the various "stumbling blocks", legal action would be instituted against some of the mega deals within the next few months.