Zero tolerance for corruption— key to economic turnaround
The common consensus in the country is that corruption stands as an impediment to the country’s growth in more ways than one. The extent to which corruption has permeated every section of society is evident when one hears of what takes place in different layers of government for the past several years.
Despite the economic collapse that was the result of the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government’s mis-governance and the upheaval which sent shock waves through the various branches of government, current reports suggest that old habits die hard and this malaise continues and affects every branch of government rendering the task of economic recovery that much more difficult.
The fact that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) decided to carry out a Governance Diagnostic Report, reportedly the first of its kind in Asia, is a damning indictment on the polity of the country. It is also reflective of the international perception that the country’s economic crash was primarily due to blunders in decision making (euphemistically called missteps) during the post 2019 period.
The IMF has since released its Governance Diagnostic Report which sets out a 16-point programme of action. The Report has primarily focused on economic governance and draws attention to areas that the public is familiar with even before the IMF came out with its suggestions. It is unfortunate that the measures spelt out in the report are being considered only after the suggestions came from a foreign agency when both the problems and the solutions were known to policy makers and legislators in the country for a long time.
Of the 16 points set out in the IMFs report, heavy weightage is given to measures to curb corruption in governance. Some of the more significant proposals include activating the Anti Corruption Commission under the new law that has been enacted, publishing asset declarations for senior officials by July 2024, enacting Proceeds of Crime legislation by April 2024, amending the National Audit Act to hold officials accountable for the use of public resources, enacting a Public Procurement Law by December 2024, to address the alarming procurement and corruption issues, requiring the publication of all public procurement contracts above Rupees 1 billion and other critical financial information on a designated website, amending tax legislation to prevent unilateral tax changes without parliamentary approval which resulted in heavy losses to the Treasury as in the case of the sugar scam, implementing short-term anticorruption measures within revenue departments to enhance oversight and sanctions, revising legislation, regulations, and processes for stronger oversight in the banking sector.
Legislation alone may not be sufficient to ensure that corruption is rooted out. Tackling corruption will require strong political will as well as resolute civil society action. Political will has to be manifested by zero tolerance shown by leaders of political parties for those tainted by allegations of corruptions and should, in appropriate cases, even extend to denying such indivduals nominations to contest elections.
The Civil Society role which is as important as the political role is to spread awareness of the scourge of corruption and ensure that a culture of social ostracisation of the corrupt takes root in society.
The Yahapalana Government made valiant efforts to formulate and set up procurement processes and guidelines but was unable to achieve much success mainly due to stiff resistance from vested interests within the system itself.
If an anti corruption crusade is to succeed it has to be carried out on two fronts. The first is the preventive aspect some of which have been highlighted in the IMF
Governance Diagnostic Report. However, the challenge in ensuring success in preventive measures is the lack of persons of integrity and passion to implement and ensure oversight of such processes.
The second is to ensure that those who engage in corrupt practices are held accountable and arraigned before the law.
When the Commission for Investigating Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) was set up in 1994 there were high expectations that the problem would be dealt with head on and offenders brought to book. However the public perception is that CIABOC has not served its purpose which is one of the reasons why a new Anti Corruption Law had to be enacted.
But even for such legislation to be effective the Government will have to find the necessary personnel not only with the necessary skills but even more importantly the passion to drive this national effort.
There are many instances of suspicious actions in the public domain which need to be investigated speedily and errant persons brought to book. However this is easier said than done without political will.
One such instance that comes to mind is the one former President Maithripala Sirisena referred to on public platforms when he was in office. This related to a cheque for a large sum issued in haste on the day before the January 8, 2015 Presidential Election (which was a non working day) in respect of the Nilwala Ganga Project.
President Sirisena himself raised suspicions with regard to the transaction because of the circumstances under which it was issued as well as the fact that there was no work done with regard to the payment made.
However, as far as one knows no investigation has been conducted on the matter nor has anyone been held to account. There are other instances where allegations have been publicly made in respect of transactions and individuals but no investigations are pursued.
The sooner resolute action is taken to actively root out corruption the better for the country and its people. Whether such action can be initiated before the next General Election remains to be seen. Taking into consideration the alignment of forces in the current Parliament it is unlikely that it will happen.
The Civil Society role which is as important as the political role is to spread awareness of the scourge of corruption and ensure that a culture of social ostracisation of the corrupt takes root in society.