Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Colombo, June 10 (Daily Mirror) – President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has condemned widespread corruption within crucial state departments, revealing that some officials entrusted with upholding the law are themselves engaging in criminal activity.

Speaking at a Poson Poya commemoration event in Mihintale, President Dissanayake addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding a recent Presidential pardon, using the occasion to highlight deep-rooted misconduct within the public service.

Not all, but certain officials in key departments have been found participating in corrupt and illegal practices,” the President said, pointing to alarming examples across multiple institutions.

He accused the Prisons Department of unlawfully releasing inmates, and claimed that some police officers have turned into protectors of criminals rather than working to suppress crime. He also alleged that officials in the Immigration Department are issuing forged passports to underworld figures, while the Department of Motor Traffic is involved in corrupt dealings concerning vehicle registrations.

This is the state of the country,” the President declared, adding that the nation’s social structure is under threat from such systemic failures.

However, he noted that recent law enforcement efforts have led to the arrests of several officials from the Immigration, Department of Motor Traffic, Prisons, and Police services on corruption charges.