News
CIABOC Chief names 10 most corruption-prone institutions
Findings of countrywide survey:
Police, Customs, political class, FEB, and judiciary among them
The Sri Lankan public perceives the police, the Customs, the judiciary, etc., as being among the ten most corruption-prone institutions, according to a survey conducted the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) last year, as part of its national anti-corruption action plan. The police ranking the first among the institutions most prone to bribery and corruption are followed by politics, and the Customs Department, the Department of Immigration and Emigration, the Education Ministry and schools, the Land Registry, the Provincial Councils, the Foreign Employment Bureau, the Divisional Secretariats, and the Registrar General’s Department and the judiciary.
CIABOC Chairman Neil Iddawela, addressing a seminar in Colombo, on Thursday, said the survey findings underscored public frustration with corruption entrenched in state institutions. “The Police emerged as the most corruption-prone, followed by politics and Customs,” he said.
However, Iddawela said that in keeping with public complaints and investigations, the CIABOC had identified five institution as having the worst impact on the national economy—the Customs, the Inland Revenue Department and provincial revenue offices, the Excise Department, Immigration and Emigration, and the Department of Motor Traffic. He also drew attention to regulatory bodies such as the National Gem and Jewellery Authority and the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, which, he noted, “facilitated financial misconduct and money laundering.”
The CIABOC chief said that corruption was not merely a transaction of mutual consent between the giver and the taker. “What fuels a corrupt culture is the failure of law and order, the normalization of corrupt practices, and the public’s reluctance to act,” he said. “We cannot dismiss corruption as harmless bargaining. It remains a serious offence under the law.”
The seminar, held under the theme “Integrity, Transparency, and Good Governance for National Development,” was jointly organised by the Sri Lanka Administrative Service Association and the Sri Lanka Institute of Administrative Professionals.
The survey’s findings have come at a time when public confidence in institutions is already under severe strain due to economic hardship and political upheaval. Analysts have warned that unless decisive steps are taken to restore integrity in public service, corruption will continue to erode state revenues, weaken governance, and undermine national recovery efforts.
CIABOC officials said that the survey results would be used to shape future anti-corruption strategies, with special focus on revenue-earning departments and agencies critical to economic stability.
The Indonesian Naval Ship, ‘KRI SULTAN ISKANDAR MUDA – 367’, arrived at the port of Colombo today (22 Jan 26) on a scheduled port call for logistics replenishment and a goodwill mission.
In keeping with time-honored naval tradition the ship was accorded a ceremonial welcome upon arrival.
The 90.71m – long Sigma Corvette FS is commanded by Commander Annugerah Anurullah.
During the stay in Colombo, the crew members of the ship are expected to visit some tourist attractions in the city limits.
Further, this visit provides an avenue to enhance professional interaction and courtesy engagements among two navies.
The Royal Navy of Oman Ship ‘AL SEEB’ arrived at the Port of Colombo on a logistics replenishment visit today (22 Jan 26).
The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.
The 75m – long ship is commanded by Lieutenant Commander Hamad Bin Mohammed Aldarmaki. The port call will facilitate professional interaction and goodwill exchanges between the two navies.
During her stay in Colombo, crew members of the ship are expected to visit some tourist attractions in the city of Colombo.
News
Mechanism to be established involving university academics and experts for Education Reforms – President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the Government is taking steps to establish a comprehensive mechanism, supported by an appropriate legal framework, to bring together university academics, experts and all relevant parties in order to resolve issues arising during the implementation of education reforms.
The President made these remarks during a discussion with the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) held on Wednesday (21) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
During the discussion, FUTA members emphasized the challenges encountered while trying to implement educational reforms through a framework established by the National Institute of Education, in line with the current laws and regulations.
They further emphasized that while their association acknowledges the need for new education reforms, the urgency of such reforms is greater for students in rural schools than for those in urban schools.
The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations further stated that they appreciate the decision taken by the Government, under the leadership of the President, to address the issues arising from education reforms and affirmed their readiness to contribute to this process.
As a continuation of the previous discussion, proposals addressing the challenges faced by academics within the university system, along with possible solutions, were presented to the President. In response, the President emphasized that the Government would take all possible measures to safeguard the university system and strengthen education.
The discussion also covered proposed amendments to the Universities Act.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake noted that, in the aftermath of the recent disaster, the Government has been effectively implementing a nationwide rebuilding programme, addressing economic stability, development and all critical sectors. The President also called upon university academics to actively support these reconstruction efforts.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, Anura Karunathilaka, as well as representatives of the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations, including its President, Prof. P. R. Weerathunga, Vice President M. A. M. Sameem and Secretary Charudaththe Ilangasinghe.
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