• TISL finds lack of resources, ineffective enforcement, absence of meaningful public participation mechanism, weak enforcement, public institutions lacking structural independence/capacity
• Also finds limited inter-agency coordination, low compliance with proactive disclosure 

While Sri Lanka has taken important steps to combat corruption, institutional weaknesses continue to undermine these reforms, the Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) said. Currently, Sri Lanka has enacted the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023 and the Regulation of Election Expenditure Act, No. 3 of 2023 as well as implemented the development of the National Action Plan on Anti-Corruption (2025-2029).  

This situation was explained in a report titled ‘Civil Society Report on the Implementation of Chapter II (Prevention) and Chapter V (Asset Recovery) of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in Sri Lanka’, which was issued by the TISL, and which assessed Sri Lanka’s progress in fulfilling its commitments under the UNCAC. It identified the lack of resources, ineffective enforcement and the absence of a mechanism for meaningful public participation as the key institutional weaknesses.

Among the key findings were the weak enforcement of regulations continuing to undermine the effectiveness of anti-corruption legislation, key public institutions lacking the structural independence and the institutional capacity needed to function effectively, limited inter-agency coordination on complex corruption and money laundering investigations, and low compliance with proactive disclosure requirements by public authorities under the Right to Information Act.

Based on these findings, the report recommended to develop and streamline anti-corruption mechanisms by ensuring that legal reforms are supported by clear implementation processes and coordinated institutional action, and to strengthen institutional oversight and accountability by enhancing the independence, mandate, and resources of key oversight bodies. Another recommendation was to improve transparency and public participation by formalising timely consultations and expanding the proactive disclosure of laws, budgets, and Government decisions.