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TISL report sheds light on private sector corruption

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Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) recently unveiled the ‘Corruption Risk Mapping Research: A Study on Sri Lanka’s Private Sector at the BMICH in Colombo.

Shattering the myth that the private sector in the country is generally above board, TISL has presented an in-depth analysis of corruption risks in Sri Lanka’s private sector and possible measures to address them.

The research, compiled by an Independent Researcher, documents and narrates alleged experiences and examples of private sector corruption, possibly for the first time in Sri Lanka, according to TISL.

Text of the TISL statement: “Corruption in Sri Lanka for the most part has been seen as a public sector problem. This research, however, indicates that the private sector often functions as the “supply side” of corruption. The allegations narrated showed a high risk of corruption when dealing with relevant government departments for approvals and licences across all industries. The Report also documents allegations of corruption when bidding for government contracts, particularly in relation to pharmaceuticals and large-scale infrastructure projects.

Allegations of corruption, documented in the report between private sector entities, includes kickbacks, gratifications and favours, fraud, unethical manipulation of procurement processes, conflicts of interest, nepotism and favouritism. Interestingly, the research also revealed allegations of private sector entities engaging in political lobbying and significant market manipulation through the creation of monopolies. The research showed that gender dynamics also affected the nature of corruption. Respondents alleged that women were at a higher risk of being solicited for sexual bribes in exchange for jobs, promotions or even to provide a service.

The Report highlights that while public listed companies are heavily regulated, their unlisted subsidiaries face fewer regulations. This enables the parent company to outsource their corruption to a subsidiary or sub-subsidiary. The Report identifies the lack of a strong regulator, internal controls, and regular financial and social audits as some of the risk factors that lead to private sector corruption. It has also been found that new market entrants often resort to corruption as a means of survival in the absence of a conducive business environment.

The Report proposes the private sector to adopt robust anti-bribery and corruption policies with whistle-blower protection, and to pursue collective action to mitigate corruption. It calls on the Government to establish stronger regulatory bodies, digitalize processes, and enhance procurement practices.

The Report Launch was followed by a Panel Discussion, titled “Beyond Compliance: True Business Integrity in a Box-Ticking World”. Ms. Averil Ludowyke, an Independent Non-Executive Director at several leading private sector organisations, and Ms. Rukshani Wanigasekara, Senior Manager Corporate Legal – Cargills Ceylon, were panellists and the session was moderated by Gowthaman Balachandran, Chief of Party for Transparent and Accountable Governance Project supported by USAID.”

Link to Full Report: https://www.tisrilanka.org/crmr/



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Landslide RED warnings issued to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya extended up to 1600 hrs today [07]

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The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued  landslide early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale, Matara, Monaragala, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura effective from 16:00 hrs on 06.12.2025 to 16:00 hrs on 07.12.2025.

Accordingly,
LEVEL III RED  warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Pathadumbara, Kundasale, Pathahewaheta, Panvila, Medadumbara, Doluwa, Thumpane, Udunuwara, Deltota, Ganga Ihala Korale, Pasbage Korale, Yatinuwara, Hatharaliyadda, Ududumbara, Minipe, Udapalatha, Gangawata Korale, Akurana, Poojapitiya and Harispattuwa in the Kandy district, Thumpane, Udunuwara, Deltota, Ganga Ihala Korale, Pasbage Korale, Yatinuwara, Hatharaliyadda, Ududumbara, Minipe, Udapalatha, Gangawata Korale, Akurana, Poojapitiya and Harispattuwa in the Kegalle district, Alawwa, Rideegama, Polgahawela, Mallawapitiya and Mawathagama inthe Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Yatawatta, Laggala Pallegama, Pallepola, Matale, Rattota, Ambanganga Korale and Wilgamuwa in the Matale district, and Hanguranketha, Mathurata, Nildandahinna and Walapane in the Nuwara Eliya district

LEVEL II AMBER warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Ella, Welimada, Haputhale, Lunugala, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, Kothmale West, Norwood, Ambagamuwa Korale, Thalawakele, Kothmale East and Nuwara Eliya in the Nuwara Eliya district and Godakawela, Kahawaththa and Kolonna  in the Ratnapura district.

LEVEL I YELLOW warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of  Seethawaka and Padukka in the Colonbo district, Elpitiya and Yakkalamulla in the Galle district, Mirigama, Divulapitiya and Attanagalla  in the Gampaha district, Ingiriya, Bulathsinhala and Horana in the Kalutara district, Pasgoda and Athuraliya in the Matara district, Bibile and Medagama in the Monaragala district, and Kuruwita, Balangoda, Eheliyagoda, Pelmadulla, Kaltota, Kalawana, Openayake, Ayagama, Nivithigala, Imbulpe, Elapatha, Ratnapura and Kiriella in the Ratnapura district.

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618 dead, 209 missing as at 2000hrs on Saturday [06]

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The Situation Report issued by the Disaster Management Center [DMC] at 2000hrs on Saturday [06] confirms that 607 persons have died due to the recent flooding and landslides while another 209 persons were missing.

The death toll in the Kandy district which one of the most affected districts has risen to 232, and 1800 houses have  been fully damaged.The number of missing persons reported is 81

100,124 persons belonging to 29,874 families were being housed at  990 safety centers established by the government.

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Opposition blames govt. inaction for severity of disaster impact

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The government’s failure to act on expert warnings, including advance forecasts on Cyclone Ditwah, had led to the worsening of disaster impact, Udaya Gammanpila, leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, said at a press conference in Colombo yesterday.

Gammanpila accused the NPP government of ignoring 14 key preventive measures, despite alerts from the Meteorology Department, foreign experts, and the media.

Gammanpila said the government had failed to lower the water levels in reservoirs, dredge estuaries, and deploy the armed forces for canal maintenance. Local government bodies were reportedly sidelined, and that led to a delay in cleaning of drains. He said the government had also failed to evacuate people in a timely manner from seven districts identified by the National Building Research Organisation as landslide-prone. It had delayed declaring emergencies or curfews and the deployment of tri-forces to evacuate people in such areas.

Gammanpila said an experienced public official should have been appointed as Secretary to the President to mobilise the state machinery swiftly during the disaster. He said the government had not convened the National Disaster Council.

“These failures worsened the disaster, causing immense hardship, disruption, and loss of life and property to the people,” Gammanpila said.

The government has denied the Opposition’s claims.

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