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Thursday, 6 December 2012 01:28 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
In the annual Global Corruption Perception Index (CPI) released by Transparency International (TI), Sri Lanka has scored 40 points and is placed in the 79th position among 176 countries. Last year Sri Lanka was ranked at number 86.
Among the South Asian countries Sri Lanka ranks second above India, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Only Bhutan has fared better than Sri Lanka. In Asia Pacific region Sri Lanka is ranked number 11.
Two thirds of the 176 countries ranked in the 2012 index score below 50, on a scale from 0 (perceived to be highly corrupt) to 100 (perceived to be very clean), showing that public institutions need to be more transparent, and powerful officials more accountable.
Since Sri Lanka has scored below 50, it is apparent that the country is yet among those who were unable to minimise the level of corruption in the public sector. Thus Transparency International Sri Lanka said there is a need to strengthen the anti-corruption mechanisms in Sri Lanka.
The Index, which focuses on corruption in the public sector, is conducted by Transparency International (TI), the global civil society organisation leading the fight against corruption. The CPI, though perceptional, has been accepted as the most recognised and often quoted international index on corruption.
A release issued by Transparency International states: “A growing outcry over corrupt governments forced several leaders from office last year, but as the dust has cleared it has become apparent that the levels of bribery, abuse of power and secret dealings are still very high in many countries. Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2012 shows corruption continues to ravage societies around the world.”
“Governments need to integrate anti-corruption actions into all public decision-making. Priorities include better rules on lobbying and political financing, making public spending and contracting more transparent and making public bodies more accountable to people,” said Huguette Labelle, the Chair of Transparency International.
“After a year of focus on corruption, we expect governments to take a tougher stance against the abuse of power. The Corruption Perceptions Index 2012 results demonstrate that societies continue to pay the high cost of corruption,” Labelle said.
In the Corruption Perceptions Index 2012 Denmark, Finland and New Zealand tie for first place with scores of 90, helped by strong access to information systems and rules governing the behaviour of those in public positions. Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia once again cling to the bottom rung of the index. In these countries the lack of accountable leadership and effective public institutions underscore the need to take a much stronger stance against corruption.
This year Transparency International has changed the methodology for the Corruption Perceptions Index, allowing for year-over-year comparisons for all editions published from 2012 onward.
