Curbing corruption

PRIME MINISTER and Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse could not have done better than to bring into sharp focus the continuing blight of corruption and its consequences. It is our belief that corruption should continue to remain a widely discussed issue and hope that a concerted effort would be made by all responsible sections in this country to eradicate this scourge which - in the words of the Prime Minister - is "a stumbling block to development".

We hope corruption and its eradication would figure as a hot election topic and call on our Presidential candidates to give top billing to the twin issues in their future plans for societal reform. It should be their endeavour to spell out in precise, concrete terms how they intend wiping out the menace of corruption, which - among other factors - has widened the wealth gap in Lankan society and contributed towards the immeasurable aggrandizement of a few at the expense of the vastly impoverished many.

It should be of interest that the immediate backdrop to the Prime Minister's timely observations was the launching of a UNDP - funded project to strengthen the capacity of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. We would not be saying anything particularly new if we take up the position that this Commission has not lived up to public expectations so far.

Whereas what the public expected from the Commission was a dynamic and result - oriented drive against corruption, wherever it may occur, this is yet to transpire. The Commission may have results to show but these do not add up to a rigorous, surgical strike against the cancer of corruption, which seems to have grown over the years in a surreptitious, unsettling fashion.

The common complaint is that the "big sharks" in the sea of graft are yet to be nabbed, although a few "sprats" have come within the Commission's dragnet.

We are certain that the Commission may be hamstrung in numerous ways and these could account for the seemingly below-the-capacity performance of this all-important State institution, but it should be the aim of those hoping to take over the reins of governance to empower this body sufficiently and ensure its effectiveness.

Meanwhile, there is no disputing Prime Minister Rajapakse's summary of the baneful effects of corruption and the measures outlined by him which could contribute towards the elimination of the social blight. Corruption certainly cripples a country's development drive, erodes public policies and "makes a mockery of all that is fair and just in social and political life."

There is a need to ensure that the Rule of Law reigns and here is where the Bribery and Corruption Commission could display its mettle. The Commission should be empowered and invigorated to enforce the laws of the land against the corrupt - whoever they may be - and this is a key to a successful anti-corruption drive.

The cost of living burden under which the middle class and the working people constantly groan is also closely linked to the proliferation of corruption. If, for instance, palms or not greased, in the process of a product coming to the market, the prices of goods would not prove to be astronomically high.

If the launching of a business enterprise involves the showering of illegal financial inducements on self-serving officials, investments would be deflected from productive ventures. Besides, well-meaning public policies would prove impossible to implement if the greasing of official palms proves the order of the day.

Thus, a strong case could also be made for large-scale public awareness-raising on these questions, along with stringent and impartial law enforcement, if progress is to be made towards corruption-curbing.

We also need to make some strides towards introducing a degree of equity in the social system. Vast and acute deprivations and yawning income inequalities tend to aggravate the corruption menace although this malaise could in no way be condoned. However, a sense that one is being treated fairly, in terms of financial remuneration, could dull the attractiveness of filthy lucre.