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Corruption stifles economic recovery – civil society groups
The ‘Civil Society Initiative on Anti-Corruption Reform for Economic Recovery,’ led by Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) and comprising Verité Research, Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), and National Peace Council (NPC) yesterday said that there was an urgent need for political will and genuine action towards anti-corruption governance reforms that are essential for sustainable economic recovery.
In a statement titled ‘Anti-Corruption Governance Reforms Are Critical for Economic Recovery’ the TISL said: On this International Anti-Corruption Day, we reiterate the urgent need for political will and genuine action towards anti-corruption governance reforms that are essential for sustainable economic recovery.
We note the critical juncture the country is facing, where decisive action is expected by the citizens to spearhead the ‘system change’ that was the unified call of the unprecedented people’s movement last year. We also note the clear call by the international development partners, notably the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to initiate governance reforms that are essential to reach the economic recovery targets in the agreement. The recently published Governance Diagnostic Report of the IMF, as well as the Civil Society Governance Diagnostic Report on the Corruption Landscape of Sri Lanka underscore the imperative for comprehensive anti-corruption governance reforms, in order to combat the economic crisis rooted in weak governance and entrenched corruption.
Therefore, the ‘Civil Society Initiative on Anti-Corruption Reform for Economic Recovery,’ led by TISL and comprising Verité Research, CPA), Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, PAFFREL, and NPC, makes an earnest call from the policymakers, as well as the citizenry to not let this unique “reform moment” slip away.
As we observe the International Anti-Corruption Day under the theme “UNCAC at 20: Uniting the World Against Corruption,” marking the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), we emphasize that the governance reforms identified by the civil society and the IMF must be prioritized and implemented, if we are to recover and restore the economy.
Nadishani Perera, Executive Director of TISL, stated, “The recent landmark decision of the Supreme Court has confirmed our assertion that the economic crisis was caused by a governance failure. The court has emphasized that the crisis could have been averted if high-level decision-makers had acted in the best interest of the country, upholding the public trust that is bestowed upon policy makers who are duty bound to act as the trustees of public resources. Corruption and poor governance in Sri Lanka steal away relief and development funds and prevent the funds from reaching those that are most in need. This must be stopped at this critical time in order to uplift the lives of citizens, who are the actual casualties of this man-made crisis.”
The unfolding of the economic crisis and the people’s uprising seeking accountability and systems change demonstrated the serious breakdown of public trust towards those in governance. It is paramount for the Government to earn back the public trust if it is to successfully implement any of the economic reforms. Towards this, it is essential for the Government to demonstrate its commitment to change through concrete actions of reform and by taking actions to end the startling levels of impunity for large scale corruption and abuse of power at the top levels prevailing in the country.
Any institutions that are set up to combat corruption must consist of persons with integrity, appointed through an independent process which is respected and not undermined and those appointed should be enabled to act with independence and without fear of repercussions.
A conducive environment for civic engagement where people are able to access information and freely express their opinion including their dissent is vital for meaningful economic recovery. However, the government’s conduct of violently suppressing public expression, intimidating and harassing those who dissent, disrespecting the separation of powers between the executive, legislature and the judiciary and attempting to introduce oppressive laws that curtail these freedoms, have been extremely harmful towards any sort of civic engagement.
Therefore, we urge the President and Government to demonstrate their commitment towards transparent and accountable governance and equitable and sustainable economic recovery by going beyond mere words and promises to actual implementation of the governance reforms specified in the governance diagnostics, while protecting the Constitutionally guaranteed democratic rights and civic space.
We also call on all public representatives in Parliament to go beyond lip service and demonstrate their commitment to real system change through their actions. We request the international lenders and donors to maintain pressure towards governance reforms in order to ensure that their funds will fulfill the purposes for which they are granted. We call upon the public to demand for governance and anti-corruption reforms as a non-negotiable deliverable towards economic recovery.
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Action beyond dialogue is essential in addressing Green Financing and climate change. – Prime Minister
There have been numerous discussions and dialogues successfully conducted across various sectors, but it is now crucial to move beyond conversation and focus on strengthening the implementation. Such collaborative effort like GGGI initiates in leading Sri Lanka towards a resilient and sustainable finance.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the Sri Lanka climate finance awareness session on advancing sustainable finance and carbon markets for climate action held today (30) at hotel Marriott Bonvoy in Colombo City Center.
The awareness session was organized by the Prime Minister’s Office with the collaboration of the ministry of Environment and Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to create awareness of Green finance strategies leading to new initiatives for sustainable Sri Lanka.
Delivering the keynote address, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that this session is intended to support the line ministries in better understanding how these financing mechanisms work and how they could be leveraged to implement the sustainable development priorities.
Addressing the event, the Prime Minister further stated:
“Sri Lanka has developed and updated numerous environmental frameworks to address the growing challenge of climate change, that has become the current development challenge that continues to affect lives, livelihoods, and our overall trajectory as a nation.
In Sri Lanka, key sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, energy, tourism, and water are increasingly exposed to climate-related disruptions, threatening both livelihoods and macroeconomic stability. To prevent this trajectory, we must leverage a full spectrum of international climate finance instruments.
Sri Lanka has a solid policy foundation, political will, and the institutional capacity to lead on climate action. What we now need is the financial architecture to match this ambition. Hence, today’s session represents a step toward building shared awareness and technical capacity across the public sector”.
The Prime Minister emphasized that while numerous discussions and dialogues have been successfully conducted across various sectors, it is now crucial to move beyond conversation and focus on concrete implementation highlighting that meaningful results can only be achieved when ideas and plans are translated into action, and urged all stakeholders and officers to prioritize execution to bring about the positive changes the country needs.
The event was attended by secretary to the Prime Minister, G. P. Saputhanthri, representatives from the central bank, representatives of Ministries and GGGI institute.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that there is a contemporary need to develop the Pirivena and Bhikkhu education and that the government is seeking the revered guidance of Maha Sangha in that cause.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the 125th anniversary celebrations of the Amarapura Ariyavansa Saddhamma Yukthika Nikaya on Tuesday (29) at the Sri Subodhi Rajarama Mulasthana Maha Vihara in Bombuwala, Kalutara.
During the event, the Prime Minister honored sixty-three venerable members of the Maha Sangha who had rendered their noble service to the Sasana and also conferred awards upon several distinguished lay benefactors in recognition of their contributions.
Delivering the keynote speech, the Prime Minister stated:
“There has always been a strong bond between Buddhism and society throughout history. Culture and social relations have been built alongside the Buddhist philosophy. The society we seek to establish as a nation must embody the Buddhist values of fairness, equality, and compassion. These virtues, as taught in the Buddhist philosophy, are ever relevant and alive.
Piriven and Bhikkhu education are currently facing numerous challenges, and considerable efforts are needed to address them. Thereby a substantial and concerted intervention is required.
A pertinent question arises as whether our Pirivena institutions are adequately preparing for the evolving needs of the world? There was once a belief in Europe that, with scientific advancement, religion would become redundant. Today, this view has been discredited. Along with material progress, spiritual development remains indispensable.
The knowledge, attitudes, and skills of our Bhikkhus must be enhanced to meet the emerging global challenges. A profound discussion on necessary reforms in Piriven and Bhikkhu education is therefore imperative.
Opportunities for Bhikkhus to study subjects such as mathematics, science, and modern languages are currently limited. Without exposure to contemporary disciplines, it is questionable whether one can successfully confront present-day challenges”.
The event, held under the patronage of the Venerable Egodamulle Amaramoli Mahanayake Thera, the Chief incumbent of the Amarapura Ariyavansa Saddhamma Yukthika Nikaya, was attended by members of the Maha Sangha, Minister of Mass Media and Health Mr. Nalinda Jayatissa, several Members of Parliament, and numerous lay devotees.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, plans are underway to launch a 1,000-acre forest plantation project in collaboration with the private sector. This large-scale initiative is designed to operate under the Public-Private-People Partnership (4P) concept and a preliminary discussion on the project was held today (30) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The discussion focused on resolving technical aspects associated with the project and addressing the fundamental issues necessary for the land release.
The programme aims to implement several effective environmental projects in the coming year with the active participation of the private sector. These efforts are intended to safeguard the country’s biodiversity, forest cover and natural ecosystems, while also reinforcing the shared responsibility of the public, government and private sector in environmental conservation.
The discussion was chaired by Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponsu and Additional Secretary of the Clean Sri Lanka Programme S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, with the participation of senior officials from the Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation and Environment
Action beyond dialogue is essential in addressing Green Financing and climate change. – Prime Minister
Pirivena and Bhikkhu education must be developed – PM
1,000-acre forest plantation project to be launched under “Clean Sri Lanka” programme
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