Challenge corruption

When talking about corruption in Sri Lanka, it is difficult to know where to even begin. Such a vast topic needs a shelf, possibly a room of books, to cover, and yet there would still be much hiding in the shadows. With few resources at hand, one popular way of understanding corruption levels and putting it in context with the rest of the world is Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2012.

Sri Lanka has been placed 79th in the annual CPI released by Transparency International (TI), climbing up seven positions from last year to land just ahead of China, Serbia and Trinidad and Tabago. Among the South Asian countries Sri Lanka ranks second above India, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Only Bhutan has fared better than Sri Lanka. In the Asia Pacific region Sri Lanka is ranked number 11.

Sri Lanka’s improvement is welcome but as TI says, two thirds of the 176 countries ranked in the 2012 index score below 50, on a scale from 0 (perceived to be highly corrupt) to 100 (perceived to be very clean), showing that public institutions need to be more transparent, and powerful officials more accountable. Since Sri Lanka has scored below 50, it is apparent that the country is yet among those who were unable to minimise the level of corruption hence need to strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms.  

In releasing this year’s index, TI Chair Huguette Labelle had an emphatic message to all countries which fair poorly in the rankings. “Governments need to integrate anti-corruption actions into all public decision-making. Priorities include better rules on lobbying and political financing, making public spending and contracting more transparent and making public bodies more accountable to people,” he said.

“Corruption is the world’s most talked about problem,” added Cobus de Swardt, Managing Director of Transparency International.

The process of development without transparency and accountability can be expensive and unsustainable and in developing countries. Since one cannot clap with one hand, in all cases of corruption there is a giver in addition to a recipient. Therefore, the onus of eliminating corruption rests with both the Government and private sector.

There is a tendency to condone corruption if it ensures efficiency and “get the job done” as people refer to it or “clinch the deal” in business parlance. Singapore is a shining example where socioeconomic development has improved and sustained on a long term basis sans corruption. Experts have also emphasised the need for reforms as well as better pay in public sector to root out corruption.  Professionalism and accountability in public service as well as good corporate governance and ethical behaviour and practices in the private sector are also crucial. If a country nurtures better values, the scope for corruption is minimal.

Whilst Sri Lanka can be happy about the improvement in 2012 ranking, the country cannot be complacent since there is a greater need to be progressive. The Opposition, the private sector, and the public at large will confirm incidence of corruption has indeed increased in Sri Lanka. Proof of whether or not we are progressing as a country ethically will be known when the 2013 rankings are revealed. The Government is openly championing Sri Lanka’s rise to the top 30 in the Ease of Doing Business in the medium term from the current 89 after having improved from 98th place in the previous year. President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s regime will be applauded by all if it sets a similar goal in the Corruption Perception Index as well.