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Corruption Risks in Sri Lanka

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Corruption Risks in Sri Lanka CORRUPTION RISKS IN SRI LANKA The overarching power and influence of the executive is weakening the national integrity system of Sri Lanka. KEY FINDINGS Erosion of checks and balances KEY FACTS: CORRUPTION The centralisation of power on the executive has eroded the constitutional checks and balances, leading to abuse of power PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2013 and widespread misappropriation of funds. The supremacy of the legislature as the mandate of the people has been challenged RANK: SCORE: along with the independence of the judicial system. 91/177 37/100 Politicisation of the public sector The independence of the public sector suffers from political What does this mean? influence. Although the Public Service Commission oversees the The Corruption Perceptions Index measures the appointments, promotions, transfers, discipline and dismissals of perceived levels of public sector corruption, scoring public officers, the commission itself is appointed by the from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). A score president. of less than 50 indicates a serious corruption problem. Gaps in the anti-corruption mechanism Sri Lanka’s Bribery Act of 1994 is yet to undergo any revision or update. The current act does not include private and civil society sectors and does not conform to the provisions of the United Nations Convention against Corruption. Nepal 6% 22% 72% Pakistan 8% 19% 72% Percentage (%) of people in South Asian countries on how the level of corruption in India 7% 23% 70% their respective country has changed over the previous two years. South Asia 14% 21% 66% Countries are listed according to the percentage Sri Lanka 18% 19% 64% of respondents who felt corruption had increased. Bangladesh 27% 14% 60% Source: Global Corruption Barometer 2013 Maldives 17% 26% 57% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Decreased Stayed the same Increased www.tisrilanka.org © 2014 Transparency International Sri Lanka. All rights reserved. Printed on 100% recycled paper WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE? KEY FACTS: WHAT DO CITIZENS Ensure the independence of the public service THINK ABOUT CORRUPTION? Lobby for the revision in laws and the constitution in order to ensure an independent public service. 64% of Sri Lankans believe that corruption in the country has increased over the last two Revision of Bribery Act years. It is recommended to revise the existing Bribery Act to better conform to the United Nations Convention against 62% of Sri Lankans believe that corruption in Corruption and international best practices. the public sector is a problem or a serious problem. Laws ensuring the right to information Introduce, adopt and implement laws to ensure citizens’ 43% of Sri Lankans reported paying a bribe to the right to information to promote transparency and police in the last 12 months. accountability within all sectors and strata. Source: Global Corruption Barometer 2013 CONTACT US Transparency International Sri Lanka is a national chapter of Transparency International, a civil society organisation dedicated to curbing both international and national “…Political patronage and influence-peddling for corruption. Our chapter’s mission is to contribute to financial gain have increasingly cast their shadow increased understanding of corruption, strengthen anti- over all aspects of governance and accountability.” corruption structures and processes and upholding of integrity. Transparency International Sri Lanka National Integrity System Assessment: To find out more about our work and how you can help, get Country Report 2014 in touch: No 183/5 High Level Road Colombo 6 Sri Lanka Telephone: 0114369781 / 0114369782 / 0114369783 Fax: 0094-112-514588 Email: [email protected] Facebook/ Twitter/ Skype: tisrilanka www.tisrilanka.org www.tisrilanka.org © 2014 Transparency International Sri Lanka. All rights reserved. Printed on 100% recycled paper .
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