TI report calls for abolishing the executive presidency
The “National Integrity System Assessment (NISA) 2014 report presented by Transparency International (TI) strongly recommends dismantling the executive presidency and creating a more equitable balance of power among the executive, the legislature and judiciary.
The president should give up holding any ministerial portfolios and there must be a limit on the number of cabinet ministers, the report stressed.
At the meeting, from left: UNP MP Eran Wickramaratne, University academic Ranjit Devasiri, Bar Association President Upul Jayasuriya and TI CEO Ranugge. Pic by Susantha Liyanawatte
The report compiled and released by TI Sri Lanka and South Asian chapters assessed 13 vital institutions that are critical to the fight against corruption.
It was launched on Monday in Colombo in the presence of Bar Association President Upul Jayasuriya.
With the aim of preserving impartiality and conflict of interest and prevent interference of executive, the NISA report has suggested handing over the making of appointments to an independent commission and revise the appointments dismissals ,transfers and disciplinary procedures of the public to ensure its independence.
The appointment of the Attorney General should be removed from the executive to ensure the independence of the office and avoid conflict of interest, the report said adding that the Bribery Act should be revised to include private sector and civil society sector.
The report also recommended a strict Code of Ethics to be introduced and implemented for all media personnel and that the right of association should be recognized and protected throughout the country.
Making civil society organisations more open and pro-active and improve their transparency and accountability and strengthen whistle blower and witness protection in the business sector were some of its other recommendations. Making a presentation on the methodology and findings of the NISA 2014, Sashee de Mel Manager TISL noted that the major finding of the report was a weakness in Sri Lanka’s national integrity system and the extremely strangeness of the executive as well as the minimal involvement of the pillars including media, public sector, civil society, judiciary and anti corruption commission in fighting corruption.
Delivering the key note address Mr. Jayasuriya said that there is a major break down in the country’s rule of law and it has greatly affected the national integrity system.
One of the major concerns today was the condemning of small men for taking small bribes ignoring the persons who are involved in massive corrupt practices.
The report stated that 43 per cent of Sri Lankans reported paying a bribe to the police in the last 12 months.
Commenting on the finding of the report that the police are corrupt, he asked “if the police are to be condemned for collecting Rs. 500, Rs.1000 and two-three hundreds from men in the streets what about those who take the millions and the billions not rupees anymore but in dollars”?
He noted that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) is powerless and he is in a pathetic situation as he has forgotten that he is the Inspector General of Police.
He pointed out that when he wrote to him asking for security to be given on the issue of the security matter when it came up concerning his personal security, the IGP wrote to him stating that he has forwarded this matter to the Secretary of the Ministry asking for his approval.
He said that he is not for a moment finding fault with the IGP but being very truthful and frank.
The IGP has no power. Probably somebody else clipped his wings and has taken over his powers, he claimed adding that this is the situation that ‘we’ are going through.
If this is the kind of public officers and their independence and professional judgement has been taken away by those who have bought them – “Where is the sincerity? Where is a corrupt free society?” he asked.
UNP MP Eran Wickremartne said that the legislature could play a vital role in combating corruption but today the people were of the view that the legislators are corrupt and infrastructure development such as the building of roads is perceived to be rampant with corruption.
Under these circumstances, the functions of legislature through COPE and Public Accounts Committee have become toothless, he said, adding that there is a need of strengthening parliamentary mechanism to combat wide spread corruption.
To curb corruption, public administration reform must include the strengthening of parliamentary oversight and accounting bodies, he added.