(Lanka-e-News -10.April.2025, 10.20 PM) Every public institution to have a special internal unit from yesterday onward. CIABOC's 2025–2029 National Anti-Corruption Action Plan officially launched under Presidential leadership.
Delivering a powerful and poetic message at the launch of Sri Lanka’s new National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP) 2025–2029, High Court Judge and Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), Justice Ranga Dissanayake, closed his address with an evocative poem. Describing the Commission as a silent, watchful guardian—or a "bussa," the Sinhala word for a chameleon or quiet observer—Justice Dissanayake declared:
“Not like frantic pigeons, swaying without reason,
But steady, with necessary words, not reckless ones,
We are the quiet observers, unshaken by royal fables and thieves' tales.
Even in moonless nights, we sharpen our eyes to see,
To discern injustice, to sniff out crooked intent.
We watch, unswayed in darkness, like a Kadupul flower—
Fragrant, silent, yet too vigilant to be misled.”
He concluded:
“Thus, we—the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption—are that silent guardian. Thank you.”
This poetic prelude marked the official unveiling of the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (2025–2029), spearheaded by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. The event brought together the Chief Justice, Acting IGP, Attorney General, Central Bank Governor, and numerous senior public officials.
The NACAP initiative, launched by CIABOC, aims to strengthen governance, transparency, and the rule of law in Sri Lanka. It follows the successful implementation of the previous NACAP (2019–2023) and has now been revised for greater effectiveness.
Funded at approximately USD 900,000, the development of this action plan was supported by the Japanese government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the project titled “Promoting Economic Governance through Anti-Corruption Policy Support.”
Coinciding with the launch, a new directive from the Presidential Secretariat (Circular No. PS/SB/Circular/2/2025 dated 18 February 2025) mandates the establishment of Internal Affairs Units in all public institutions across the island. These units are tasked with implementing and monitoring anti-corruption measures at the institutional level.
The initiative reflects the government's renewed commitment to eliminate corruption and create a culture of accountability—an essential factor for national development and progress.
CIABOC, a constitutionally mandated independent body, has been further empowered under the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023. Its jurisdiction now extends beyond investigations and prosecutions to the implementation and regulation of nationwide anti-corruption policies.
Moreover, under Article 5 of the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), to which Sri Lanka is a signatory, CIABOC is responsible for fulfilling key international obligations.
The NACAP was developed through a consultative process involving local and international stakeholders, including Members of Parliament, judges, public officials, civil society groups, media, youth representatives, and even children. Public opinion was also gathered through surveys, media campaigns, and social media outreach conducted in all three national languages.
The final draft of the plan was submitted for stakeholder review on January 21, 2025, and subsequently received Cabinet approval on March 24, 2025 (Decision No. 25/0482/801/008).
The action plan is built around four core strategies:
Prevention of Corruption
Education and Public Engagement
Strengthening Institutions and Law Enforcement
Legal and Policy Reforms
To ensure its success, the plan calls for collaboration across ministries, departments, private sector entities, civil society organizations, and all citizens.
With the rollout of this action plan, Sri Lanka envisions a future where the fight against corruption is championed by vigilant citizens, committed political will, firm rule of law, and a disciplined public service.
As Justice Dissanayake poetically conveyed, the war against corruption requires quiet, resolute strength—not just noise, but unwavering watchfulness. And with national unity and effort, a cleaner, more just Sri Lanka for future generations might finally be within reach.
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by (2025-04-10 16:59:30)
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