The Civil Society Parallel Report on Sri Lanka’s Implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) offers a critical and comprehensive assessment of the country’s progress under Chapters II (Preventive Measures) and V (Asset Recovery) of the Convention. Produced by Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) with the support of the UNCAC Coalition, the report is a result of in-depth research, legislative analysis, and interviews with stakeholders and key informants, and seeks to supplement the official UNCAC review process.
The report reviews the extent to which Sri Lanka’s legal and institutional frameworks align with UNCAC obligations, while also examining challenges related to enforcement. It identifies several areas where reform efforts have been initiated, such as the adoption of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 09 of 2023 and the Election Expenditure Act No. 03 of 2023, but notes that significant gaps remain in operationalising these frameworks in practice.
Key concerns highlighted in the report include the lack of comprehensive of conflict of interest regulations, gaps in political finance transparency, restricted public access to asset declarations, weak coordination among law enforcement authorities on complex financial crime investigations, and under-resourcing of oversight bodies such as the Right to Information Commission, the Election Commission and the Financial Intelligence Unit.
The report includes a set of 15 priority recommendations aimed at improving the country’s alignment with UNCAC standards. These include: formalising and enforcing rules on conflicts of interest; strengthening the implementation of political finance regulations; establishing a mechanism to formalise public participation in governance; reassessing the role of the Ombudsman in the country’s accountability framework, and establishing an independent prosecutorial body. It also recommends strengthening institutional mandates and resourcing for agencies responsible for enforcement and oversight.
While acknowledging ongoing reform efforts, the report emphasises the importance of ensuring that laws are not only enacted, but effectively implemented, with appropriate safeguards for transparency, accountability, and public participation. It aims to support constructive dialogue among government institutions, civil society, and international partners to advance Sri Lanka’s commitments under the Convention.
The reporting period for this assessment extends up to 30th January 2025.