Lanka outperforms regional peers

Sri Lanka ranks first among South Asian countries in the latest Rule of Law Index compiled by the World Justice Project's (WJP) research team, Lalith Weeratunge, President's Secretary reiterated when the President met media heads at Temple Trees last week.

The Daily News carried this news as its front page lead story on March 8. However, the President's Secretary appraised media head of the details of this assessment and said that the World Justice Project has complied this list under the direction of those such as former US Secretary of State Madeline Albright.

The fleshed out details underscored under honorary Chairmanship of those such as Albright and Jimmy Carter, were:

Sri Lanka ranks 48th globally and outperforms its regional peers in most dimensions of the rule of law.

The country also outpaces most lower-middle income countries in several areas, ranking second in delivering effective criminal justice. Control of corruption is relatively effective (ranking 39th globally and first in the region).

The Index stated that order and security is improving worldwide while criminal justice is declining. Out of the eight factors that are reported on in the Index, four improved on average and four deteriorated. The factors that improved were absence of corruption, open government, order and security and regulatory enforcement.

The WJP is an independent, multi-disciplinary organisation working to advance the rule of law around the world. Its Index is the world's most comprehensive data set of its kind. The World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index looks at 47 outcomes (or sub-factors) organised around nine dimensions (or factors): constraints on government powers; absence of corruption; open government; fundamental rights; order and security; regulatory enforcement; civil justice; criminal justice; and informal justice. The WJP has the support of outstanding leaders representing a range of disciplines around the world. Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former US President Jimmy Carter, former Ireland President Mary Robinson and South African social rights activist Bishop Desmond Tutu are among the Honorary Chairs of the World Justice Project.