Skip links

Sri Lanka’s National Integrity System is Weak

Sri Lanka’s National Integrity System which consists of different 13 pillars including the legislature, executive, judiciary, public sector and law enforcement agencies was depicted as weak according to the assessment done by the Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) in year 2014.

According to the assessment the Executive is overwhelmingly strong compared to the other actors/institutions of the country’s National Integrity System. It was also revealed that the independence of several pillars including Public Sector, Media, Civil Society, Judiciary and Anti Corruption Commission is compromised.

The National Integrity System assessment was launched at the OPA auditorium Yesterday (28th July 2014) with the participation of the parliamentarians, government officials and the professionals.

The concept of a National Integrity System originated within the Transparency International movement in the 1990s as the movements primary conceptual tool of how corruption could be best fought and ultimately prevented. It draws together the actors and institutions which are crucial in fighting corruption in any given governance framework.

The National Integrity System or NIS of Sri Lanka constitutes of 13 pillars.The Legislature,  Executive, Judiciary, Public Sector, Law enforcement agencies, Election Commission, Complaint Mechanisms which includes Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission and the Ombudsman, Auditor General’s Department , Anti-Corruption Commission, Political Parties, Media, Civil Society, Business represent the pillars.

The National Integrity System Assessment 2014(NIS) is the 3rd such study conducted by Transparency International Sri Lanka. In 2010 TISL conducted a comprehensive study that was well accepted by the relevant stakeholders. The primary purpose of this NIS is to assess whether there has been any progress over time with regards to the country’s integrity system,  identify specific changes (both positive and negative) which have occurred since the previous NIS report was published, and identify recommendations and advocacy priorities for improving the country’s integrity system.

The assessment also pointed out that the  role played by the pillars in fighting corruption is  minimal and the capacity, governance and the role played by the political parties, media and civil society found  to be very weak. 

The absence of a law that guarantees Right to information, 18th Amendment of the Constitution, lack of  independent public commissions and the absence of a law that protects Whistleblowers have too contributed towards wakening the National Integrity System. Another important finding is the minimal role played by many of the pillars in directly combating corruption.

A comparison with the results of the 2010 assessment, which is available in the report, shows that the governance situation has not improved since 2010 and in some cases it has even deteriorated. The 18th amendment to the constitutions is cited as one of the main causes for this deterioration.

The report presents a comprehensive list of recommendations under each pillar chapter required to urgently mend the gaps and strengthen the weak areas of Sri Lanka’s National Integrity System. Its recommends the Executive Presidency to be abolished leading to a more equitable balance of power among the three organs of state the Executive, the Legislature and Judiciary.

It further recommends President should give up holding any Ministerial portfolios and must be a limit on the number of Cabinet Ministers, appointment of Judges to be handed over to an independent commission in order to preserve impartiality and conflict of interest and to prevent interference from the Executive. The appointments, dismissal, transfers and disciplinary procedures of the Public Sector to be revised to ensure the independence of the Public Sector recommend the report.

For more information visit:  http://issuu.com/tisrilanka/docs/nis2014

Leave a comment

This website uses cookies to improve your web experience.