Wiping out corruption is no easy task

FIGHTING bribery and corruption is a common topic which dominates the political discourse in Sri Lanka.

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The significance of punishing those who were involved in bribery and corruption figured prominently at the last Presidential election. The anger towards the country's political class for alleged corruption intensified with the onset of the 2022 economic crisis. Politicians by and large are viewed as corrupt and untrustworthy by the society.

It has often been said that it takes two individuals to commit an act of corruption and do not be one of them. The willingness of the public to pay bribes to dishonest public officials and political agents has contributed in no small measure towards the non-ending cycle of corruption and graft in Sri Lanka.

Bribery and corruption is a malaise which is rampant and widespread throughout the Sri Lankan society and it is not only confined to the island's political class. Although much attention and scrutiny takes place on the corrupt activities of politicians, adequate attention is not paid towards the financial misconduct of officials in the public sector. The truth of the matter is that corruption among bureaucrats is more endemic and severe than corruption which is prevalent within the political system.