Fighting against Corruption to Ensure Good Governance through Social Accountability in Sustainable Communities: The Need for an Effective Institutional Mechanism for Sri Lanka

Abstract

Many socio -political problems such as the increased cost of living and the waste of public money for various inadequate programmes that we have today directly or indirectly contribute to the existence and growth of corruption. In addition, it leads to increasing criminality, extreme poverty, stifling economic development and ultimately frustrates democracy and good governance. It also hinders social, economic and political potentials in Sri Lanka. In the present context, corruption has become an endemic issue and has many negative impacts for poor people in Sri Lanka. The augmenting nature of corruption is evident according to the increasing rates of the Government Corruption Perception Index of the country. In 2008, Sri Lanka ranked 72 and in 2011 it rose up to 86.1The Corruption Perception rate in 2011 is 3.3. In such a situation, good governance is unattainable. Sri Lanka recently failed to meet the GSP qualifying criteria largely due to its dismal performance in the area of good governance. Good Governance should be participatory, transparent and accountable. It must also be effective, equitable and must promote the rule of law. Good governance ensures that political, social, and economic priorities are based on broad consensus in society and the voices of the poorest and the most vulnerable are heard in the process of decision making over the allocation of resources.2 Sri Lanka has ratified the United Nations Convention Against Corruption in 2004. But the convention does not include a definition of corruption. But in other parts of the convention, there are definitions of some of the main types of corruptions such as bribery and extortion, by both of public officials and private sector, embezzlement, misappropriation of funds and other diversion of property etc. Sustainable communities are settlements which meet diverse needs of all existing and future residents, contribute to a high quality of life, and offers appropriate ladders of opportunity for household advancement, either locally or through external connections.