Amidst severe criticism leveled at President Maithripala Sirisena for his comments on the Bribery Commission, the CID and the FCID, several civil society organizations which earlier backed him have convened a special press conference.

It is expected that these organizations will condemn the President's statements, adding to the severe criticism he is already facing.

The Purawesi Balaya and the National Movement for a Just Society are at the forefront in organizing this press conference. It is well known that both these organizations played a key role in electing President Sirisena in January 2015.

Sirisena made some controversial remarks yesterday at an event in the Sri Lanka Foundation where he slammed the Bribery Commission for taking three former navy commanders to court. Furthermore, he said that if the CID and the FCID act with political agendas, stern action will have to be taken.

The Transparency International condemned the President's statement today and said that the allegation leveled at the Bribery Commission should be withdrawn.

Meanwhile the JVP aso called an end to intimidating investigative bodies and challenged the president to reveal who was behind the politicization of these institutions.