Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chairman and Opposition Parliamentarian, Dr. Harsha De Silva said that the salary that has been allocated to chairman of Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC)  is debatable despite his approval as COPF Chair since it is not adequate. He made these remarks in Parliament yesterday (10).

Dr. de Silva stated: “We requested for a salary comparison that of a president of an appeal court. A judge and appeal’s court president earns a total of Rs. 611, 300 and 300 litres (fuel) monthly while an appeal court’s judge would earn Rs. 573, 800 and 300 litres. The proposed salary for the Bribery Commission Chairman is Rs. 510, 000 and 225 litres while a Member, it’s Rs. 457, 500 and 200 litres and a Director General is to receive Rs. 407, 500 and 200 litres”

He expressed that it was not approved on the first occasion, however, they are “Super Heros” since the most concerning matter is corruption.

This Commission only appoints those who are below 62 years-of-age and 20 years of experience and who would come to such a position, he inquired.  

The private sector pays 10 times higher salary, and therefore a reasonable amount should be paid. The latter was granted since the approval was needed while suggesting that this needs to be further discussed.