ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s new government launched a five-year national anti-corruption action plan aiming to end the country’s decades-long culture of impunity.
The launch came a month ahead of Local Government polls amid decline in the government’s popularity over its last year election promises.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake launched the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan 2025–2029 in Colombo and said framing the fight against corruption will be a moral duty rather than political revenge.
“President Disanayake solemnly pledged that the responsibility of eradicating bribery and corruption will not be passed on to the next generation but will be resolved within this generation itself, under the leadership of the present government,” the President’s Media Division said in a statement.
For decades, Sri Lanka has been mired in corruption scandals—from petty bribery in village-level institutions to massive financial fraud involving state banks and even the Central Bank itself.
These practices, President Dissanayake said, have not only eroded the values of public service but also driven the country into economic despair. Sri Lanka was forced to declare sovereign debt default and bankruptcy due to the economic crisis in 2022.
“Corruption in Sri Lanka has grown from minor bribes for medicine to organised criminal networks within top institutions,” the PMD quoted as President saying.
He asserted that these networks—some involving law enforcement and state officials—have already been identified and will be dismantled. He also condemned former leaders for shielding corrupt officials, which allowed such practices to become systemic.
A key feature of the new Action Plan is the enforcement of a six-month grace period for public servants to align with the government’s zero-tolerance stance.
After May 2025, officials who resist change will face legal consequences.
The President said the real deterrence will come through strict legal enforcement and not through lectures or workshops.
The Anti-Corruption Plan revolves around four core areas: prevention and education, public participation, institutional strengthening, and legal reform.
New internal control units will be set up across all government departments, monitored through digital tools under the Presidential Secretariat to ensure transparency.
The President’s remarks were backed by international partners. Japanese Ambassador praised the reforms, stating that transparency is vital for sustainable development and investor confidence.
“Corruption remains a great challenge for many countries, including Sri Lanka as it undermines economic growth, weakens public trust in government institutions and discourages foreign investment,” the Japanese envoy said.
UNDP Representative Azusa Kubota highlighted the findings of a national taxpayer survey and said 84 percent of Sri Lankans believe corruption directly affects their willingness to pay taxes.
While the plan has garnered praise, public skepticism remains due to past experiences.
Years of failed reforms and political cover-ups have eroded trust in institutions. Critics warn that without genuine independence for enforcement bodies like CIABOC, the plan risks becoming another paper promise. (Colombo/April 09/2025)