• Whistleblower protection needs proper system for practical rollout 
• CIABOC being restructured with focus on improving efficiency, public access
• CIABOC-ACRC MOU on cooperation under consideration
• SL’s AIA developed based on Korea’s experience with UNDP support

Global efforts on anti-corruption need to be practical and consistent to deliver implementable and tailored solutions, where institutions can provide the public with results which help build trust in the governance structure, Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Director General Ranga Dissanayake said on Friday (3) in Seoul, South Korea.

He also highlighted the need for practical mechanisms to translate legislation into practical applications for effective anti-corruption efforts.

The Director General further called for cooperation on building robust and simple anti-corruption systems that foster a culture of prevention and compliance and are practical to implement by enforcement authorities. 

Dissanayake made these remarks while addressing a high-level panel on ‘Reflections and Recommendations’ during the International Anti-Corruption Forum, held in South Korea, jointly organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and South Korea’s Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC). 

He said that Sri Lanka’s Anti-Corruption Initiative Assessment (AIA) was based on the ACRC model, which has been implemented in South Korea.

He opined that whistleblower protection was difficult to roll out in Sri Lanka due to practical realities. While there is strong legislation in place for it, Sri Lanka wants to study international best practices and the experience from South Korea to fine-tune its delivery.

When asked about the robustness of whistleblower protection in Sri Lanka, Dissanayake told The Sunday Morning: “We are fully equipped with the legislation, but we want a proper system for implementation.”

He cited training provided by the ACRC for 10 CIABOC officials as a key capacity-building measure for the watchdog, pointing out that the training enabled CIABOC staff to clearly identify how corruption prevention measures could be implemented. 

Dissanayake added that the cooperation between the ACRC, UNDP, and CIABOC had been focused on the practical implications of anti-corruption measures. 

The CIABOC and the ACRC are currently exploring the possibility of entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation.

The CIABOC Director General thanked the UNDP, ACRC, and UN’s Seoul Policy Centre for their continued support and cooperation with the institution.

Dissanayake also said that the CIABOC was being restructured to improve operational efficiency, with staff capacities being increased while decentralising its services to improve access to the public. He highlighted that the introduction of the electronic asset declaration system was aimed at improving transparency, efficiency, and accountability.