By: Staff Writer
June 12, Colombo (LNW): The Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), Ranga Dissanayake, has called for urgent institutional reform, legal literacy, and greater public engagement to effectively combat corruption in Sri Lanka.
Speaking at a public awareness event outlining CIABOC’s new five-year action plan, Dissanayake emphasised that the public must move beyond passive observation and become active participants in holding institutions accountable. The action plan forms a key part of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy unveiled on 9 April under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s leadership.
Dissanayake explained that the new legislation significantly expands CIABOC’s mandate. Unlike in the past, when its powers were confined to filing charges, the Commission now has broader responsibilities including prevention, institutional development, and legal reform.
“The extent of corruption in Sri Lanka is unimaginable,” Dissanayake said, citing the country’s poor global ranking of 121 on the Corruption Perceptions Index. He attributed much of the problem to systemic failures and a lack of public awareness about legal rights and processes.
“Most people only participate in democracy at election time, without understanding the laws or their rights. This lack of legal education is a major reason corruption thrives,” he noted, adding that education about legal frameworks should begin in schools.
A key initiative in the action plan is the creation of a digital system for asset and liability declarations, supported by the Asian Development Bank. This platform, expected to be launched next year, will streamline and enhance transparency in financial disclosures by public officials.
Dissanayake also criticised the public’s selective approach to justice, noting that while many call for corrupt officials to be prosecuted, they often exempt those they politically support. “People say they want thieves caught—but only those on the other side,” he remarked.
He reiterated that CIABOC is not just an investigative body, but an institution working toward a transparent and just governance system. “We are not a government entity—we are fully independent,” Dissanayake clarified, addressing a common misconception.
The five-year plan, he said, is a transformative roadmap aimed at building a more accountable Sri Lanka. “If we succeed, we will be laying the foundation for the country we’ve all dreamed of,” he concluded.
