‘Bribery and corruption is a way of life in most third world and developing countries, true or false’? Reply ‘True and not so true’.

Former Secretary General, United Nations, Kofi Annan , said ‘ Corruption hurts the poor disproportionately by diverting funds intended for development.. Corruption is a key element in economic under-performance and a major obstacle to poverty alleviation and development’.

Through the aegis of the United Nations Development Programme, (UNDP) and direct activation of the bribery commission, resurgent interest bringing to bear renewed interest to stem corruption has again interested the Government of Sri Lanka to foster greater interest in its implementation. Assistant Resident Representative (Programmme),Zoe Keeler commenting on progress since its implementation in January this year said considerable lateral progress has been made to realize given objectives.

UNDP direct funding is approximately $300,000, to see the project through.

‘Would these funds be sufficient?’ ‘Certainly not. Total requirement is approximately $858,500. We will have to raise what we need. That will be done through various sources.’ Zoe Keeler said.

The UNDP view was that corruption is a problem not peculiar to Sri Lanka only. Most other third world countries, and developing countries were victimized by this unseen hand called corruption. In a retrograde climate such as this, Government’s interest was powerful in its containment efforts and through self initiatives of the UNDP, the current programme commenced this year.

The UNDP is of the view Sri Lanka is making serious efforts to combat corruption.

Sri Lanka was the first Asian Country to sign the UN Convention against corruption, and also second in the world to do so. Having those head start pointers as benchmark indicators progress this time would be comparatively swifter seeking legal activation to have the Bribery Commission attaining positive clout for implementation.

Similar project was activated some time ago, but because of numerous excuses the end result report was that that report languished on some government shelf completely ignored.

The report produced this time, end three years, the period expected for completion of the project, would have certain elements that would provoke active consideration for implementation.

As already said no person in the country was above the law.

The UNDP tool kit, contains Capacity Development and Recovery Project, (CADREP) with the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs. Additionally most recently the UNDP intensified action through the Commission to investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), and include such training for various Government departments.

This new project builds on UNDP’s earlier partnership with CIABOC and introduces new strategies for fighting corruption.

Initial training included the Legal department particularly in Anuradhapura, and Polonnaruwaand also Colombo, involving 247 persons who have been imparted training.

The project period will be three years.

Interestingly training sessions will also include the police, and other Government departments.