Corruption provides breeding ground for organised crime - AG

Corruption undermines and endangers the stability and security of the foundations of a good and honest society itself; it undermines the institutions and values of democracy and ethical values and morality, jeopardises sustainable development, the rule of law and the credibility of Governments.

It also provides a breeding ground for organised crime, Attorney General C. R. De Silva said.

He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Bribery and Corruption Commission’s renovated Auditorium and Library in Colombo yesterday.

“Corruption is the use of abuse of entrusted power with the intent to obtain private gain or gratification, either for one’s self or for a friend or relative. This may include a failure or refusal to act when such action is necessary or appropriate, or inciting another party to take improper action,” the Attorney General said.

Corruption is not limited to bribery or other exchanges of value, but it forms a pivotal backbone upon which the whole concept of the abuse of power is made vehemently clear. The initiator is not the only guilty party: anyone who knowingly or willingly participates in a corrupt act is as guilty of corruption, he said.

Bribery and corruption are features that every Government in history has had to take note of and treat with serious concern. World literature is full of references to corruption raging from the ancient clay tablets of Assyria 4,000 years ago to the most recent literature, he said.

Very few public officials begin their careers with the intention of becoming corrupt, but some succumb to a sinister form of peer pressure over time. Being placed in a position of significant political power can be overwhelming, and the temptation to break rules for a perceived “greater good” is always present, he said.

Although the predicament is large, it is not without probable solutions. Leaving aside the commonplace practices of retributive punishment and rehabilitation, other forms of preventive measures have been highlighted. Grass roots level action often results in the most productive outcome, Attorney General de Silva said.

The first and most important step to be taken would be to create a vigilant, informed and sensitive public. Through the means of education a certain level of integrity, veracity, an honour can and must be instilled in society beginning from primary level right up to the highest levels.

It is the task of all concerned to ensure that it is the right of society to expect total integrity from all who hold office and that nothing short should be received, he said.

Further to educational awareness, the value of a transparent form of practice at all levels of administration may prove invaluable.

The free availability of information to the public, availability of fora in which queries may be voiced and heard and like measures from which may stem a sense of empowerment toward the public who in turn functions not only as a check and balance against corruptive practices but also in the form and capacity of deterrent against the same.

Such awareness, transparency and educative practices should also aim at breaking down social stigmas that redress is available only for the rich and powerful and reveal to the poor and underprivileged that their position too is one of strength and not of weakness as is common practice, he said.

Programmes of this nature should be structured and systematic, far-reaching and extensive so as to provide an equal opportunity to all, be it to make a complaint or merely to have one’s voice heard.

This will also aid in the prevention of bribery and corruption at the lower end of the scale where even “village level” corruption may be combated.

This again aids in the creation of grass roots level checks and balances which will undoubtedly filter up and have a noticeable effect on “heavy duty” bribery and corruption.

Together with these programmes and systems that may be put into practice it is vital that an equally effective system of enforcement is enacted.

This must in turn inculcate levels of protection for those officials and complainants that may be involved in the counteraction of these harmful practices, for fear of exercising the system is equally futile as an ineffective system, or of having no system at all in place, the Attorney General said.

US Ambassador Robert O. Blake said a recent study in Sri Lanka has indicated that the GDP would have grown by at least two percentage points in 2006 had corruption been prevented.

The Ambassador said the best way to combat corruption is for a Government, to be open and transparent. The cost of corruption is difficult to quantify, but there is little doubt that it has dramatically negative economic and political consequences, Blake said.

“Corruption damages economic development and reform, impedes the ability of countries to attract foreign investments, hinders the growth of democratic institutions and concentrates power of hands for a few,” he added.

He said the Sri Lanka anti-corruption programme was created by the US Agency for International Development after the tsunami and was designed to help minimise corruption in the distribution of the post-tsunami assistance.

In addition to the renovation of the Bribery Commission Auditorium, US also supported the publication of Let’s get rid of corruption, a children’s book about corruption written by Sybil Vetthasinghe.

“We hope that this publication will raise public awareness and understanding about the negative impact of corruption on the Sri Lankan society. This book will inculcate in Sri Lanka’s next generation a strong aversion to corruption,” he stressed.