Sri Lanka recognizes that corruption constitutes one of the obstacles to the effective promotion and protection of human rights, as well as to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) was told.
The Sri Lankan delegation at the Council said in a statement that a negative consequence of corruption is the violation of human rights, particularly of the most vulnerable sectors of society. The statement said that it is noteworthy that corruption and its proceeds are not confined within national borders, nor is their impact on human rights.
The Sri Lankan government says it continues to take necessary measures to ensure the implementation of its obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
The statement was made during the panel Discussion on the Negative Impact of Corruption on the Enjoyment of Human Rights.
The Sri Lankan delegation said that the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption initiated the conduct of a “gap analysis” in order to identify gaps between the Convention and the existing Laws relating to corruption in Sri Lanka.
“A Consultative Committee formed in this regard comprises the Hon. Attorney General; the Secretary/Ministry of Justice; the Chairman/Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption; the Legal Draftsman; and the Legal Advisor/Ministry of External Affairs. Steps are being taken by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption to identify the necessary amendments to the Law on Bribery and Corruption,” the statement added.
Sri Lankan says it is committed to ensure the full realization of human rights in the fight against corruption on the one hand, and to continue to adopt measures to strengthen anti-corruption efforts through the application of a human rights-based approach on the other.