TISL launches report on Sri Lanka’s progress in combatting corruption under UN Convention

Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has released an independent Civil Society Report assessing Sri Lanka’s progress in fulfilling its commitments under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), the first legally binding global instrument to combat corruption.

Sri Lanka signed and ratified the UNCAC in 2004, committing to align national laws and institutions with global standards on preventing corruption, promoting transparency and accountability, and combatting illicit financial flows.

The newly launched Civil Society Report focuses on two key sections of the Convention:

• Chapter II – Preventive Measures, which includes obligations to strengthen public sector integrity, ensure transparency in political financing, adopt effective access to information laws, and establish independent anti-corruption bodies.
• Chapter V – Asset Recovery, which covers international cooperation in tracing, freezing, and returning proceeds of corruption, improving financial transparency, and strengthening law enforcement coordination to combat money laundering and related offences.

This parallel report was produced with the technical support of the UNCAC Coalition – a global civil society network of over 400 organisations promoting the implementation and monitoring of the UNCAC. The report is the result of nearly a year of research, legal analysis, and interviews with public officials, civil society representatives, and institutional stakeholders. It covers developments up to 30 January 2025 and is intended to supplement the official UNCAC review process.

While Sri Lanka has made notable strides in legal reform, gaps remain in implementation. Key findings include:

• Weak enforcement of regulations continues to undermine the effectiveness of anti-corruption legislation.
• Key public institutions lack the structural independence and institutional capacity needed to function effectively
• Limited inter-agency coordination on complex corruption and money laundering investigations
• Low compliance with proactive disclosure requirements by Public Authorities under the Right to Information Act.

The report acknowledges the enactment of the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 09 of 2023 and the Election Expenditure Act, No. 03 of 2023, and the development of the National Action Plan on Anti-Corruption (2025-2029) as important steps forward. However, institutional weaknesses – such as a lack of resources, ineffective enforcement, and the absence of a mechanism for meaningful public participation – continue to undermine these reforms.

The report outlines recommendations to:

• Develop and streamline anti-corruption mechanisms by ensuring legal reforms are supported by clear implementation processes and coordinated institutional action.
• Strengthen institutional oversight and accountability by enhancing the independence, mandate, and resources of key oversight bodies.
• Improve transparency and public participation by formalising timely consultations and expanding proactive disclosure of laws, budgets, and Government decisions.

This Civil Society Report provides an evidence-based picture of Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption efforts – highlighting progress, gaps, and practical means forward. It is intended to support constructive engagement between Government agencies, civil society, and international partners to advance the country’s anti-corruption commitments.

(Report link: https://www.tisrilanka.org/civil-society-parallel-report-on-sri-lankas-implementation-of-the-united-nations-convention-against-corruption-uncac/).