Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2015-12-02

Consultancy Agreement between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Basel Institute on Governance in Switzerland

- The Basel Institute on Governance located in Switzerland is an independent non-profit making institution working with public and private sectors to improve processes on suppressing corruption and other financial crimes in public and private sectors around the world. This agreement is proposed as a result of seeking assistance from the Government of Switzerland for the action being taken by the Sri Lankan Government against corruption and financial crimes. By entering into this agreement, the Institute will provide the necessary advice and assistance required in regard to the activities pertaining to the recovery of funds belonging to the Government of Sri Lanka, illegally earned through corruption or other forms of abuse of power. Guidance from this institution will also be available, where necessary, for judicial activities that have to be carried out beyond the jurisdiction of Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to enter into the relevant agreement, was approved by the Cabinet.