The draft bill for the government’s recovery of assets acquired through illegal means, the Proceeds of Crime Bill, will be presented to Parliament on 08 April 2025, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.
Addressing a public meeting in the Welipitiya area in Matara, President Dissanayake said that frauds and the corrupt will not be allowed to rule the country again.
He further announced that many projects implemented under foreign aid that had been abandoned due to the economic crisis will be restarted.
“How does a government punish the corrupt? How does a government punish criminals? What is the government’s job? The government has some laws. We will present a bill to Parliament on the 8th to recover assets that have been stolen and illegally accumulated. The Proceeds of Crime Bill aims to acquire illegally accumulated wealth. We have no intention of taking personal revenge on anyone. We hope to re-establish the rule of law and sovereignty in our country,” President Dissanayake said.
The Proceeds of Crime Bill aims to combat financial crime by addressing gaps in the legal system that allow criminals to retain control over illicitly obtained assets.
The bill empowers authorities to trace, freeze, and seize property linked to unlawful activities while establishing mechanisms for their management and eventual disposal.
Key features of the bill include the establishment of designated officers and investigation teams tasked with identifying proceeds of crime, utilising advanced investigative methods such as forensic audits and digital analysis. (Newswire)