CoPF clears CIABOC’s 2026 Budget amid debate over sharp salary hike

Approves to double salary allocations from Rs. 354 m to Rs. 777 m Expansion plan increases staff from 489 to 967, establishes regional offices countrywide CoPF Chair MP Dr. Harsha de Silva urges phased funding tied to recruitment milestones to avoid inefficiencies CIABOC Director-General Ranga Dissanayake defends full allocation, citing legal mandate and December 2026 deadline CoPF calls for stronger oversight, financial autonomy for CIABOC and judicially benchmarked salaries

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THE Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) has approved the 2026 Budget estimates for the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), despite concerns over a steep increase in salary allocations.

During last Thursday’s (11) meeting, chaired by CoPF Chairman Dr. Harsha de Silva, members questioned the rationale for nearly doubling the CIABOC’s budgeted salaries from Rs. 354 million to Rs. 777 million. The increase reflected plans to expand staffing from 489 to 967 and to establish regional offices nationwide.