Rajeev Amarasuriya

Member of the Governing Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka
Former Secretary of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka

Q: What steps can we take to combat bribery and corruption – and ensure that public resources are used for the benefit of all citizens?

A: The new Anti-Corruption Act introduced last year is an advanced piece of legislation that has gone beyond the traditional boundaries of bribery and corruption, even encompassing the private sector – it has immense potential.

When the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption Act was introduced in 1994, it too was considered as being good at the time.

But 30 years down the line, we know how practically ineffective the 1994 act was in light of the failure to curtail and limit widespread bribery and corruption.

So firstly, if we want to see change, we must ensure that the new Anti-Corruption Act is fully and effectively implemented – and that would require adequate resources and capacity building, and ensuring complete independence of the commission in performing its functions.

In addition, there must be inbuilt and objective performance reviews of the commission to ensure that results are achieved in the shortest time possible.

The creation of a robust anti-bribery and corruption regime – both in fact and public perception – where there is a high probability of offenders being apprehended would be one vital step in combatting bribery and corruption.

To supplement such a regime, there must also be a concerted effort to educate the public on the societal damage caused by bribery and corruption to a level where society itself will reject those who perpetrate such acts. This must not be limited to the taker or corrupt officer but also the citizen who gives or benefits.

Another area to look at is the human interface, given that much of the smaller scale bribery and corruption takes place at the points of interaction between a member of the public and a public official. Bribery or corruption at this level can be easily and effectively addressed, by taking out the human interface and automating or digitalising the process.

If the foregoing could be achieved, bribery and corruption in this country could be effectively combatted, thereby safeguarding, securing and building public resources.