Sri Lankans believe they are ahead on corruption in South Asia

By Shannine Daniel

Over 40% of people who participated in an opinion survey recently conducted by the Marga Institute to identify public opinion on the level of bribery and corruption in Sri Lanka believe that their country is ahead in the good governance battle when compared with regional neighbours.

It was revealed that 41% of the 400 respondents selected for the survey believe that there is less bribery and corruption in Sri Lanka when compared with other countries in the Asian Region. 

The Marga Institute functions as the research arm of the March 12 Movement. In order to conduct this survey, 400 people from varying socio-economic backgrounds were selected between the age of 30 and 32 years.  

On the other hand, 34% of the respondents feel that the situation in Sri Lanka concerning bribery and corruption is worse when compared with other countries in the region, while 13% feel that it is more or less the same as the other countries and a further 11% were unaware. 

When asked to mention the incidents related to bribery and corruption that they had heard about within the past five years, the respondents referred to various acts of bribery and corruption allegedly committed by the previous regime, the Avant-Garde issue, corruption at Customs offices, incidents of school principals asking for bribes and the Divi Neguma programme as some of the more notable examples. 

Furthermore, it was noted that 46% believed these incidents to be true, while 4% did not and a further 20% remained unsure.

Meanwhile, 60% of persons interviewed stated that the level of bribery and corruption in the country had increased during the previous five years and majority claimed that media exposure had created awareness of such cases; 25% added that bribery and corruption had increased because the necessary laws had not been implemented. 

Of the sample, 7.14% interviewed stated that bribery and corruption within the last five years had increased because such actions had been committed by the previous Government. However 25% stated that the level of bribery and corruption during the previous years was more or less the same whereas only 4% stated that the level of bribery and corruption had reduced during this period.

When asked about their opinion on the level of bribery and corruption in the past 12 months only 37% believe that the level of corruption has declined, while 14% believe that the level of bribery and corruption has increased and a further 39% believe that the level of corruption is more or less the same. The 148 respondents who stated that the level of bribery and corruption had fallen within the past 12 months mentioned that the establishment of commissions to investigate allegations, enforced law and order, establishment of the FCID and culprits being presented to the courts were some of the contributory facts which led to improvement. 

A total of 47% of the respondents are satisfied with the actions and anti-corruption campaigns put into effect by the Government whereas 26% remain unsatisfied. 

With regard to the awareness of the existing laws, rules and regulations on bribery and corruption in Sri Lanka, 59% of persons interviewed were not aware of the existing laws that prevent or prosecute acts of bribery and corruption. It was also brought to light that awareness of the Right to Information Act and Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law was low; 61% of the respondents were not aware of both laws, and only 29% were aware of both laws.

A majority of the respondents have faith in the law, as 77% believe that strict enforcement of the existing laws will be able to reduce the level of bribery and corruption in Sri Lanka. Other suggestions that were given include a public campaign against corruption, teaching of morals and ethics in schools, as well as the introduction of new laws and a change of the existing laws.