Amaratunge proposes SL chapter of Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption

Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunge will move to form a Sri Lanka Chapter of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) through the office of the Speaker of Parliament, to foster good governance and improve public financial oversight mechanisms through the national legislature.

The fifth conference of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) was held in Manila between 30 January and 4 February with about 550 delegates in attendance.

A delegation of Sri Lankan legislators also participated in the GOPAC conference including Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunge.

The global grouping of parliamentarians adopted a declaration that affirmed good governance was humanity’s shared inspiration, acknowledged that individual states and the international community should have the mandate and means to bring the corrupt to justice, and recognised the UN Convention against Corruption that came into force in 2005 as the first legally binding and internationally accepted anti-corruption instrument.

The parliamentarians resolved to arrive upon common principles and shared strategies for combating corruption, promoting good governance and upholding the rule of law.

The fifth GOPAC conference agenda included effective implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), parliamentary oversight and the role of good audit in the fight against corruption using evidence to enforce anti-corruption laws, anti-money laundering laws vs. bank secrecy, the right to information and civil society participation in the fight against and prevention of corruption, transparency in public procurement with business and civil society oversight, parliamentary ethics and conduct, role of women parliamentarians and the GOPAC women network and human capital, social capital and institutions.

GOPAC was founded in 2002, a sequel to a global conference held in Canada which was attended by 170 parliamentarians and 400 observers dedicated to fighting corruption and improving good governance.

The organisation is committed to improving parliaments as institutions of oversight and with a focus to delivering results. GOPAC is unique in that it is the only international network of parliamentarians focused solely on combating corruption.

More than 40 countries including Pakistan and Bangladesh have already established their regional chapters of this organisation providing opportunities for their members to share information and knowledge in combating corruption and promoting good governance.