IMF’S IMPACT ON ANTI-CORRUPTION
People of this country are thankful to the IMF for pulling the ears of our government for not implementing the anti-corruption laws effectively for so many years as saying goes “birds of a feather flock together” to save each other.
Recent news is that such a bill is to be presented in our parliament next week
on the advice of the IMF as IMF is aware that most loan fundings are wasted or robbed in daylight due to corruption rampant for the last so many years on both sides of the fence of Diyawanna assembly.
If this law is implemented, it must be effective not just for the future, but for the past 15 - 20 years as well. Successive governments must take responsibility for their failure to tackle corruption effectively in the past
It is disappointing that the government has only decided to take action after being pulled by the ears by the IMF. Corruption is a long-standing issue in our country that has eroded public trust and public funds in our institutions and hindered economic growth. It is alarming that the governments have waited silently for so long before taking any action to curb it. Before elections all parties promise it but soon pushed under the carpet once they are in the hot seat.
If this law is implemented, it must be effective not just for the future, but for the past 15 - 20 years as well. Successive governments must take responsibility for their failure to tackle corruption effectively in the past, and now must ensure that justice is served to retrieve money robbed which would be sufficient to settle all debts of SL, they say.
There should be a mechanism to get the looted money hidden in foreign countries back to the government coffers with the support of foreign governments and culprits must be sent to jail. Hope what’s happening in Pakistan now would come to SL through the proposed anti-corruption bill. A watered eye wash bill to satisfy the IMF conditions will not help our country.
Furthermore, it is crucial that this law is not just a mere formality, but rather a concrete step towards eradicating corruption from our society. It is time for our leaders to show their commitment to a corruption-free future, and to take meaningful action towards achieving it. SUMITH DE SILVA