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| Sunday, 5 December 2004 |
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Anti-Corruption Day falls on Dec. 9 by Jayampathy Jayasinghe The word corruption is in focus these days which has been widely discussed and debated at various forums, seminars and workshops. Wide coverage too have been given in print media and in the electronic media. It seems the word corruption has a greater connotation than most people think. According to the definition given by United Nations, corruption has been defined as abuse of power or authority for personal gain. The Anti-Corruption day which falls on December 9 will be observed throughout the world for the first time. The first anniversary will be celebrated in Sri Lanka on December 9. Transparency International Sri Lanka has organised several conferences for senior public servants including Heads of Departments and Senior Secretaries of Ministries in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA). The project has been funded by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. Two national integrity awards will be awarded by the Transparent International for two Sri Lankans who had fought against corruption. An awareness campaign on corruption too will be launched to educate the public. Transparency International Sri Lanka Director, J.C. Weliamuna told the Sunday Observer that the word corruption has been defined as abuse of power or authority for personal gain. He said the objective of Transparent International was not to probe into individual cases of corruption but to take a closer look at institutions both in the public and private sector. Although corruptions of all forms were prevalent in Sri Lanka, their mandate was not to level allegations at individuals publicly but to gather facts on corrupt practices. He said there was no statutory provision to investigate bribery and corruption in the Corporate sector. Investigation of bribery offences should not be confined to the State sector alone, he said. He took a swipe at some politicians and high officials who were corrupt and said the government and the civil society has a role to play in eradicating graft and corruption. Corruption was rampant because the whole society was corrupt, he said. It has been found that corruption like terrorism has spread its tentacles in all parts of the world and no country was immune from it. No country in the world has eradicated bribery and corruption totally. The topic of corruption has been discussed and debated for more than ten years but without success. Corruption thrives in every country and every society because it has cross border connections and is difficult to eradicate unless co-operation was forthcoming from all countries. All forms of corruption exist both in the private and public sectors. However, due to pressure being exerted by Transparent International, based in Berlin, United Nations, took a serious view of the situation which resulted in an international convention being formed last December. Transparent International based in Berlin operates in 140 countries. According to Mr. Weliamuna various forms of corruption exist today such as illegal gratification or receiving a kick back, by an official for performing an act. There is voluntary corruption where members of public offer illegal gratification to an official to perform an act. School admission for example is a case in point. The recipient never demands a bribe but is corrupted by members of public. Nepotism too had been characterised as corruption. The other type of corruption involves politicians or high public officials who attempt to suppress facts or conceal evidence by offering bribes to those who expose them. The government, the civil society, judges, diplomats, journalists and artists have a role to play in eradicating corruption. According to studies on corruption, the mechanism to fight bribery are manifold. A political will to fight corruption; Strengthening institutions like the Bribery and Corruption Commission, the Auditor General's Department. Access to free information by the police. An arm to investigate bribery and corruption in the Corporate sector. |
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