President Launches Anti-Corruption Action Plan with Strong Warning to Public Officials.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, launching the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan 2025–2029 at BMICH, declared that his government has taken decisive steps to free the anti-corruption process from political interference. He stressed that while the political leadership has been cleansed of corrupt practices, it is now up to the administrative machinery to follow suit.
The President warned that public officials have been given a six-month grace period to adapt to the new standards, and from May onwards, legal action will be taken against those who fail to comply. He emphasized that dismantling bribery and corruption is not an act of political revenge, but a moral duty.
He cited examples of corruption, from minor bribery in rural health centers to major financial crimes like the Central Bank scandal, and blamed past leaders for protecting wrongdoers, allowing corruption to spread widely across institutions.
President Dissanayake revealed that criminal networks involving corrupt officials and underworld elements have been identified within state institutions and law enforcement bodies, and assured that action will be taken to dismantle them.
He pledged that corruption will not be left for future generations to fix, but will be resolved during this administration. Drawing a comparison with India’s development, he highlighted how Sri Lanka’s poor governance had led to economic collapse in 2022.
The Action Plan is built around four strategic priorities: prevention and education, public participation, institutional strengthening, and law enforcement and policy reform. Measures include creating internal control units in state institutions, monitored via digital technology under the Presidential Secretariat, to ensure transparency.
The plan, developed by CIABOC, included input from diverse groups—MPs, judges, private sector representatives, religious leaders, youth, and the general public—through national and provincial consultations, surveys, and media outreach.
The Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Mizukoshi Hideaki, and UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Azusa Kubota, also addressed the event, both emphasizing the harmful impact of corruption on development, trust, and investment. Kubota cited a national survey showing that 84% of respondents feel corruption affects their willingness to pay taxes, underlining the urgency for reform.
The event was attended by high-ranking officials, including the Chief Justice, Attorney General, CIABOC leadership, and security forces representatives, demonstrating a united front against corruption.
