“I was offered a USD 5m bribe for a project” - Chandrika

Mrs. Bandaranaike stated that the bribe, brought to her by the husband of a junior minister, was presented in Parliament. “I said, take it and get out now. I’ll have you arrested,” she recalled, noting that the individual was accompanied by a Singaporean businessman.

Emphasizing the deep-rooted nature of corruption in Sri Lanka, she criticized a past president who allegedly encouraged corrupt practices among his cabinet. “He used to say, steal as much as you can, but don’t get caught,” Bandaranaike remarked, highlighting the pervasive culture of impunity that has plagued the political landscape.

The former President called for the cultivation of ethical values from a young age, arguing that it is difficult to change the mindset of adults entrenched in corrupt practices. She warned that while businesses may resort to bribery to secure projects, such actions can lead to national bankruptcy in the long run.

“What you don’t realize is, okay, you may get that project once or twice. But when that becomes the practice of the whole country, the country becomes bankrupt,” Mrs. Bandaranaike cautioned, urging a collective effort to combat corruption in Sri Lanka.