Sri Lanka’s sweeping anti‑corruption reforms were spotlighted on the opening day of the First Resumed Session of the 17th Implementation Review Group (IRG) at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna.

Delivering a keynote address, Justice Neil Iddawala, Chairman of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), outlined the country’s transformative progress in legislative reform, digital transparency, and institutional strengthening. His remarks drew wide appreciation from international delegates, States Parties, and legal experts.

Justice Iddawala emphasized that Sri Lanka sees the UN Review Mechanism not only as a compliance tool but as a catalyst for genuine reform. He highlighted the Anti‑Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023, which has restructured the nation’s legal framework, and the introduction of the Centralized Electronic Assets and Liabilities Declaration System. He also pointed to technology‑driven initiatives aimed at minimizing corruption risks, enhancing transparency, and improving efficiency.

The Chairman further detailed the rollout of the National Anti‑Corruption Action Plan 2025–2029, “Towards Integrity”, alongside capacity‑building programmes for local government institutions, the police, and the financial sector. Direct interventions in public‑sector systems identified as vulnerable to corruption were also noted.

Concluding his address, Justice Iddawala urged the international community to make the Review Mechanism an instrument that drives practical reforms: “For Sri Lanka, the true measure of success is not the number of laws enacted, institutions created or systems launched. It is whether these reforms produce a measurable improvement in integrity, accountability, public confidence and the recovery of public resources.”

Sri Lanka’s comprehensive approach, spanning legislative reform to digital implementation, was commended by participants, with the country’s progress cited as a practical example for developing nations. (Newswire)

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According to the Anti‑Corruption Act, the asset and liability declarations of public representatives will be made accessible to the public, while those of non‑public representatives will remain confidential under a new amendment announced in Parliament today.

Leader of the House Minister Bimal Rathnayake explained that the government has decided to revise the gazette notification issued last month, which had suspended the publication of asset declarations of public representatives and sparked widespread debate. 

The new amendment restores public access to politicians’ declarations but excludes government officials and other non‑representatives to safeguard privacy.

“The Anti‑Corruption Act No. 09 of 2023 was a landmark law. Sections 86 and 88 required top officials and political leaders to disclose their assets and liabilities. Around 300 individuals, from the President downwards, were obliged to provide this information. Initially, it had to be submitted in printed form, later amended to be available online,” Rathnayake said in Parliament.

He emphasized that while transparency is essential for elected representatives, extending the requirement to ordinary state officials could lead to misuse.

“Public representatives are not ordinary officials, so the public is entitled to know their assets and liabilities, as well as those of their relatives. But it is not right for state officials and others to be included. We live in a culture where even good things are used for bad causes. Some low‑level media have harassed individuals who are not politicians, and the Bribery Commission believes privacy must be maintained. Therefore, we have proposed a limit to the amendment,” he said.

Under the revised regulations, the asset and liability declarations of public representatives will remain publicly accessible, while those of non‑public representatives, including government officials, will be excluded. 

The government maintains that this balance protects transparency in politics while safeguarding the privacy of state employees. (Newswire)

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