Sri Lanka has recorded an improvement in the Corruption Perception Index 2010 released by the Berlin based Transparency International, which monitors perceived corruption in 178 countries.
With a score of 3.2 points Sri Lanka is ranked 91 out of 178 countries in the world. Last year Sri Lanka was placed at the 97th position. From the Asia- Pacific region Sri Lanka is ranked 17th out of 33 countries.
Only Bhutan in the South Asian region has received over four points with India falling 2nd with a score of 3.3 points. Sri Lanka is ranked third from the South Asian region.
The report noted that corruption has increased in some of the countries most affected by a financial crisis.
The United States fell three notches down from the 19th position in 2009 to 22nd position this year while the United Kingdom fell from 17th position in 2009 to 20th this year.
Denmark, New Zealand and Singapore tie for top place as the world's least corrupt countries. Russia is rated in the bottom in 154th place below Sri Lanka while Italy is down in 67th spot, coming below Rwanda. Meanwhile, emerging economic powerhouse China is in 78th place.