• CBK notes role of corruption, in its broader non-political definition, in destroying social mores, says major edu. prog. needed from Gr. 1
• Sirisena says Ministry-level corruption a ‘white-collar, collaborative chain reaction’ involving secys/chief accountants, notes need for public attitudinal paradigm shift 
• Ranil pushes for enactment of Proceeds of Crime Bill & sophisticated control mechanism to identify & trace filthy lucre

A triumvirate of former Presidents who ruled the country during the nearly two-decade period from 1994-2005 (Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga), 2015-2019 (Maithripala Sirisena), and 2022-2024 (Ranil Wickremesinghe), speaking on the issue of addressing the national scourge of pervasive corruption, yesterday (17), proposed solutions ranging from the provision of related educational awareness from childhood, and pertinent attitudinal changes on the part of the public, to the need to put in place sophisticated anti-corruption legal and technological machinery.   

The 45th National Conference of Chartered Accountants took place on 16 October in Colombo, featuring a discussion attended by Kumaratunga, Sirisena, and Wickremesinghe. The trio shared their views on the country’s political landscape and fielded questions from the conference, including on corruption.

Speaking during the discussion, Kumaratunga observed that corruption has completely destroyed the country’s economy as well as the society, and added that there should be a massive programme against all forms of corruption at all levels. “Corruption has obviously destroyed our economy. There is no debate about that. What’s more serious however is that it has also destroyed our society including the ethics of the people. It’s also not only about financial corruption; there are various other forms of corruption including nepotism. To eliminate this, there should be a massive programme, and it should begin from Grade One at schools. The attitudes of all, including small children, should be completely changed." Adding that Governments including that of hers have brought in various legislation aimed at eliminating corruption, she said that she does not therefore think that the country needs any more laws. "We have all the laws. In 1994, we brought many laws and established the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. Wickremesinghe also introduced several new laws. Laws should be there first. But, laws can’t handle it alone. There should also be systems and procedures to control corruption. There should be ethics. Everyone should have the courage to say no to corruption.” 

Further, Kumaratunga claimed that although Wickremesinghe, who was also the Finance and Economic Stabilisation Minister at the time, stabilised the country’s economy with support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other agencies, corruption remained rampant, with many around him being corrupt. She said that although Wickremesinghe, whom she claimed had saved the country’s economy which had started going down the drain, with the assistance of the IMF and other agencies, was not corrupt, those around him were. If it continued, she opined that even the achievements made by Wickremesinghe would have become failures. “I must congratulate Wickremesinghe for his achievement in stabilising the economy. But, corruption was still rampant. You (Wickremesinghe) were not corrupt, but a lot of people around you were corrupt. If that continued, even your achievements and victories would have become failures. That’s because you gain from one side, and you lose it from the other side.”

Meanwhile, when asked to offer advice to a future President, Kumaratunga emphasised the need for educated and capable individuals to enter politics. “Doors should be opened for everyone. Educated and competent people should be encouraged to lead. I’m no longer involved in politics but am focused on building new leaders,” she said.

Speaking to the audience, Wickremesinghe said that many Governments have come to power promising to eliminate corruption, but that none of them have been able to do it. Attributing that failure to the lack of laws, he added that several legislation such as the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023 and the new Proceeds of Crime Bill have been introduced. “Everyone talks about corruption and doing away with it in one year or so. However, have they been able to do it? I have not condoned corruption at any stage. But, what has happened in our country is that corruption has become a political tool and something for the media. No one looks at what needs to be done.” Noting that the world has undergone significant changes during the past few decades, he said that the country should have had a very sophisticated mechanism to control corruption. “It isn't like 40 years ago; today, you can do something and get paid elsewhere. For instance, if one gets paid in bitcoin, it can’t be traced. Our machinery can’t do it. I don’t think even the present President (Anura Kumara Dissanayake) can do it. Unless we understand this reality, we won’t get rid of corruption. We talk about bringing the money deposited in other countries back; first, we have to identify the money, but they haven’t been identified so far. Secondly, how can you bring it back? This was one thing that we were missing, and we brought in the new Proceeds of Crime Bill to address it.”

Addressing the gathering, Sirisena said that regardless of what is written in the Constitution or laws, and no matter how many anti-corruption laws and regulations are passed in the Parliament, those who come to power are often prone to disregard these laws and engage in corruption and fraud. He said that a country does not function well simply because the ruler is clean, as the Prime Minister, the Cabinet of Ministers, and all Government officials as well as citizens must be clean and free from corruption and fraud. “A country cannot progress simply because its ruler is good. The Premier and the Cabinet must also be clean. There must be no room for corruption and fraud.” Sirisena addressed the issue of corruption within Ministries, noting that it is often a collaborative effort. “There are educated individuals who steal. Ministers can’t engage in corruption without the knowledge of Ministry Secretaries and Chief Accountants. It becomes a chain reaction, and then they all get involved,” he explained. He however said that he disapproves of the allegation that those who governed the country over the past seven decades have ruined it by mismanaging public funds. “I don’t like some people blaming politicians for the country being corrupt for the last 74 years. I completely reject that. It’s not just about blaming politicians. Politicians should also be trained from the beginning, from the Ministry Secretary to the President’s Secretary.” Hence, he emphasised the need for integrity at all levels of Government. “What is essential is a shift in the mindset of those in power, as well as a firm resolve to avoid corruption and fraud.” This mindset, Sirisena added, must extend beyond leaders and spread among citizens in order to create a change. “The citizens must also play their part in building a better nation. Now, when you go to vote, you can’t work without alcohol. You need a good meal, you need a good bus. That’s the situation.”