More on the Raid at Motor Traffic Department

It began quietly with a  tip-off  but  it had erupted into one of the most dramatic corruption busts in recent memory. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) conducted a surprise raid on the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) in Colombo, arresting three government officials, including a deputy commissioner, and seizing Rs. 4.1 million in unaccounted cash.

The operation, launched after weeks of covert surveillance, targeted what officials described as a "well-oiled network of institutionalised bribery." The DMT, long viewed by the public as an epicenter of petty corruption, had become a symbol of the everyday struggles citizens face in navigating government bureaucracy.

“This is not a symbolic raid,” said CIABOC Director General Ranga Dissanayake in a strongly worded public address following the arrests. “We are naming names. These individuals hold public office. Their actions carry consequences.”

The message was clear: CIABOC is no longer content with quietly pursuing long-winded legal cases behind closed doors. Under Dissanayake’s leadership, the agency appears to be embracing a more public, high-impact approach to enforcement. The video message, now widely shared on social media, emphasized not only legal accountability but societal pressure as a tool of deterrence.

Beyond the Headlines: Systemic Rot Unveiled

While the raid itself made headlines, CIABOC officials pointed to a more troubling pattern. Corruption, they said, is no longer confined to political elites or high-ranking officials. It is now deeply embedded in the lower tiers of public service, where small bribes are routinely exchanged for basic services.

“It’s decentralized now,” said one CIABOC investigator, speaking off the record. “Before, it was the ministers. Now, it’s the clerks, the inspectors, the coordinators. It’s slower, but more pervasive.”

The analogy shared internally by CIABOC: not a lone criminal act, but a coordinated orchestra. Everyone plays a part—and someone always collects the fee.

Reform or Retaliation?

While the operation has received praise from anti-corruption advocates, it has also raised concerns within the public sector. Some civil servants have accused CIABOC of overreach, warning of “witch hunts” and politically motivated actions.

Legal analysts, however, say the agency must walk a fine line. “To maintain legitimacy, CIABOC must strictly adhere to due process,” said legal scholar Prof. Savitri De Alwis. “Transparency is commendable—but it must be coupled with legal precision, or it risks undermining its own cause.”

A Cultural Mirror: Corruption on Both Sides of the Counter

In a notable shift from traditional anti-corruption messaging, Dissanayake turned part of his criticism toward the public. “These bribes are being offered by ordinary citizens,” he said. “The same people who say they hate corruption also perpetuate it.”

Observers say this candid acknowledgment reflects a maturing narrative in Sri Lanka’s battle against graft—one that recognizes the complex, often complicit relationship between citizens and the state. Tackling corruption, they argue, requires not only enforcement but education, digitisation, and a cultural reset.

Where It Goes from Here

The raid at the Department of Motor Traffic may mark a pivotal moment. For years, Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption efforts have been mired in delays, legal loopholes, and public cynicism. This time, CIABOC seems determined to break that pattern—not just with arrests, but with visibility, speed, and follow-through.

Still, skepticism remains. Many remember past efforts that began with fanfare and ended in silence. For CIABOC, the real test is just beginning: securing convictions, sustaining momentum, and proving that this storm is more than just a passing squall

As one civil society observer put it: “We’ve seen the show before. What we need now is substance.”