Bribery dogs the Sri Lankan scene: 'Nothing new' says Dr. Herath

In earlier times bribery largely revolved around the pecuniary nexus. Yet, with time's passage we see its frilled development ranging from money to some expensive gift not to rule out even sexual favours. It's widespread existence in both local and global scenes is only too well known. Even as I pen these words, right across this restricted enclave someone squatted and poked in something containing a bagful into another's locker. Busy indeed were all others yet it would not miss out on the sharp focus of zoom lens despite its gross involvement with the topic itself.

Incidentally, while the recipient's anxiety over what the bag contained was overwhelming, the initiator's eye balls saw a cautious movement from left to right happy in the thought that none bore witness to this action packed thriller except of course much to her regret she tripped on zoom lens.

Be that as it may, the writer's interview with Colombo University's senior sociologist Dr. Subangi Herath delivered a multi-dimensional aspect to corruption.

Viewing it as bureaucratic, political and academic corruption she believed political corruption to be the most widely known considering its overt nature.

"Politicians are people's appointees and are monitored to a great extent. They also hit newspaper headlines which is why political corruption can be seen. Politicians wield enormous power and they are well positioned to misuse power. The very feeling that one is powerful contributes to their thinking of an 'I careless attitude' towards the people.

Political corruption is very dangerous. Following their election politicians take the lead and become role models for people. Whatever they do even though subject to people's criticism becomes as time goes on socially accepted. Corruption has always been there but in varying degrees. Considering its growth and being blown out of proportion in later years, the small scale corruption of early times may not be even seen as corrupt practices. Early politicians came to power being wealthy and left office as paupers but this is not to deny their guilt in lesser forms of corrupt political activities.

Chances

The greater the chances of corruption in politicians, the more chances of it being socially accepted. Since such activity involves large amounts of money, high levels of power, top level decision making, those that do not have excessive power may tend to look at the kind of corrupt practices they themselves have been involved as insignificant. This self assessment itself is spring board to greater corruption on their part. Those that stay away from corruption also do not see small time corruption as something big because the higher level corruption is so great," she added.

Even among honest politicians and ordinary people the attitude of 'So, what, nothing can be done, why worry? - this itself is very dangerous..

"People have no choice in the matter of electing their representatives. People are satisfied with less corruption. They are more into thinking that even a corrupt politician would serve them in some way" - Naraka Minihek Thamai Namuth Apita Monavahari Sevayak karai".

So corruption is overlooked for people's aspiration into other goals. This could be an extremely harmful situation," she said.

"Political corruption invariably leads to large scale bureaucratic corruption. Political corruption could be large scale with limited scope unlike bureaucratic corruption. Bureaucracy involves a huge range of people's activities - from a small office to large scale decision making. The scope therefore in bureaucratic corruption is far wider."

Political corruption affects the country at large but bureaucratic corruption though with its negative impact on the nation can affect at individual level. What starts at Rs. 10 to 15 can go upto billions. It can involve small scale activities - like for instance to get a birth certificate you may have to spend a hundred rupees or to get through the hospital gate - a fifty rupees, and a cop even two hundred rupees to escape from some traffic offence.

But a contract approval, would warrant billions. Where is it that you don't have to bribe to get your work done in Sri Lanka?" she asked. Corruption has also entered the global legal system. The irony is this - that the legal system is all about doing justice!!"

Hilarious side

Getting on to the hilarious side of corruption Dr. Herath also asked, "Have you heard people say, if you want to speed up your work, give the fellow something" - this itself increases efficiency. So bribery increases both efficiency and effectiveness. My question is this, why do some of these bureaucrats seek excuses in piled up files, too many to be served, no time and so on -all this becomes inapplicable when the green note comes on the scene. Only with the 'something' that efficiency is revived".

"Favouring friends and relatives, hiring and promoting them with less qualifications is very common.

Qualified people get put down due to the lack of proper contact. Thus nincomputers get into office," she observed.

Official documents are used to favour a political party or political decision. Under bureaucratic power one could even hide papers due to political leanings. So national interest is undermined with bribes".

"People could engage in corrupt practices using their knowledge as well - so very conspicuous among academics and otherwise. Authority over a discipline can be politically manipulated - not necessarily party politics. Undermining knowledge for money and other gains, even distorting the history of a country-it is solely the abuse of power considering the high public regard of the personality concerned."

"Even extremely honest people - few and far between be it in political, academic or bureaucratic circles - they are the worst off because they have to deal with what they think is right amid all that is unrighteous. These personalities are considered mad, acentric, weird and not fit to be in this society. People may even look up to them but they face all kinds of problems and threats.

'May Miniha Nisa Apitath Inda Nehe' - say the corrupt".

Thus the honest become a formidable threat to those that suffer moral shortfall.