President seeks assistance to nab local criminals hiding overseas

President Maithripala Sirisena today called for assistance to nab local criminals?hiding overseas.

The President said that his Government is fully committed to work together with international organisations lead by the United Nations.

He added that he expects assistance to take legal action against criminals who indulge in corrupt practices and fraudulent deals while hiding in foreign countries.

The President made the remarks while attending the Global Expert Group Meeting on the Jakarta Principles held in Colombo, today (25).

The Jakarta Principles are a set of principles adopted by experts and practitioners to strengthen the effectiveness of anti-corruption authorities around the world.

They are enshrined in the Jakarta Statement on Principles for Anti-Corruption Agencies, adopted in November 2012 at a meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, bringing together current and former heads of anti-corruption authorities, anti-corruption practitioners and experts.

President Sirisena said that?his expectation is to place Sri Lanka in the number one position among the countries in the world fighting corruption, during his tenure.

He said that although corrupt politicians and Government officers work together to block the anti corruption drive, he is determined to carry forward the anti corruption process by overcoming the hurdles before him. (Colombo Gazette)