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.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with the representatives of the European External Action Service [EEAS] on Tuesdqy [10 th February] at the Prime Minister’s office.
Welcoming the delegation from the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of further strengthening and deepening the long-standing partnership between Sri Lanka and the European Union, noting the role of the European Union as a key development and economic partner.
The Prime Minister also expressed appreciation for the timely assistance extended by the European Union to Sri Lanka in response to the recent cyclone, highlighting the EU’s continued solidarity and support during times of need.
Attention was drawn to the need to expand economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and the European Union. The Prime Minister underscored the importance of undertaking necessary legislative and policy reforms to facilitate enhanced economic engagement, trade, and investment.
The delegation was briefed on the ongoing initiatives and reforms being implemented by the new Government aimed at strengthening economic stability, governance, and creating a conducive environment for sustainable growth and international cooperation.
The meeting was attended by the Acting Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific in the European External Action Service, EU co-chair of the Joint Commission, Ms. Paola Pampaloni; EU Ambassador, Head of EU Delegation Ms. Carmen Moreno and the representatives of European External Action Services and Delegation of the European Union, and Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta and the officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, Tourism Sri Lanka.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The newly appointed Country Director of the Asian Development Bank for Sri Lanka Ms Shannon Cowlin and the accompanying delegation met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Tuesday [0th of February] at the Prime Minister’s office.
Welcoming the delegation, the Prime Minister extended congratulations to the newly appointed Country Director and acknowledged the long-standing partnership with the Asian Development Bank. The Prime Minister also expressed appreciation for ADB Bank’s continued engagement and support aligned with Sri Lanka’s national development priorities.
The Prime Minister also conveyed gratitude for the timely assistance extended by the ADB in response to Cyclone Ditwah, noting the importance of such support in mitigating the immediate impacts of natural disasters.
The ADB delegation reiterated its readiness to further assist Sri Lanka during the post-cyclone recovery phase, including rebuilding and reconstruction efforts, and emphasized its commitment to the supporting the education sector.
The meeting was attended by OIC / Deputy Director General, SARD Ms. Sona Shrestha, Ms. Cholpon Mambetova Country Operations Head of ADB Sri Lanka Mission Resident, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Director General of the External Resource Department, Ministry of Finance Samantha Bandara, Director for ADB Division in External Resource Department, Ministry of Finance Ranjith Gurusinghe.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
A discussion on regulating school student transport services was held on the 09th of February at the Prime Minister’s Office under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the participation of officials from the National Transport Commission and the Ministry of Education.
The authority for regulating school student transport has been vested with the National Transport Commission, and as the relevant draft of regulations have already been prepared, discussions were held on the provisions contained in these drafts as well as on new proposals that should be incorporated.
During the discussion, the attention was focused on meeting the emerging needs of transportation arising from the schools, minimizing issues encountered in the transportation of school students by establishing an organized transport mechanism, and deploying the “Sisu Sariya” school transport service in a more efficient and effective manner followed by the new educational reforms process.
Discussions were also held on introducing laws and regulations to systematize the transportation of schoolchildren, prioritizing child protection by preventing reported incidents of abuse and harassment during student transport, and enhancing professionalism among school transport service providers to ensure a responsible and accountable service.
The focus was also emphasized on the need for coordinated action among the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, the National Transport Commission, the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, and the National Child Protection Authority.
The discussion was attended by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake, Chairman of the National Transport Commission P. A. Chandrapala, officials of the National Transport Commission, and the officials from the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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