Sri Lanka ranked 91 in Corruption Perceptions Index

Sri Lanka has failed to show significant improvement in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2017, released by Transparency International (TI), the global movement against corruption, the Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) said.

The index ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption whereas Sri Lanka has moved up 4 places from 95th to 91st, far more importantly its CPI score has only risen by two points from 36 to 38, representing the slow rate of progress.

The TISL said being the local chapter of the global movement, was concerned by the fact that Sri Lanka’s current CPI score of 38 was the same score that prevailed in 2014.

“A close analysis of Sri Lanka’s positioning in the CPI from 2012 to 2017 shows that despite the institutional strengthening of anti-corruption agencies following the 19th amendment, consistent failure in implementation has led to very limited progress,” TISL Executive Director Asoka Obeyesekere said.

“Sri Lanka has failed to show any significant progress in its CPI score year on year for the past five years, an increase or decrease of 6 points or more represents a significant change. Mr. Obeyesekere added, “it would seem that the anti-corruption drive has limited momentum.”

“Progressive legal reforms such as giving citizens the right to freely access asset declarations of public representatives and the passage of the essential National Audit Bill have also been stalled in Cabinet, which is indicative of a lack of bureaucratic and political will.”

(Source: Daily Mirror)