Sri Lanka is holding a very high position in the International list of corrupted states. Corruption takes place from the top to the bottom. There are allegations of bribing the LTTE Supremo Prabhakaran in order to come into power by winning the Presidential Elections. The SLFP with the connivance of election officers are alleged to have struck off the names of the legitimate constituents.

The UNP members who are now in the Opposition continuously accuse the SLFP Parliamentarians and their UNP colleagues who crossed over to the present Government of bribery and corruption and misuse of privileges. The JVPers are joining the accusers like a chorus in a drama.

Can you believe a standing Minister in the Government demanding Rs.50 million from a Sugar Company in the private sector to allow it to function smoothly.? The owners have gone to the Supreme Courts charging the Minister who is publicly denying the accusation. A Minister who is supposed to be responsible for the distribution of compensation to the poor farmers at Seruvila affected by the closure of the Mavil Aru anicut is alleged to have played out colossal sums due to them when the government officials were engaged in the distribution. The government officers concerned have been taken into custody whilst the Minister in his ministerial garb is still at large and roaming about accusing those who have disclosed the tardy deal.

The Ministers present and past accuse one another of receiving massive amounts of money as commissions in the privatization of government or semi-government enterprises. Corruption is not peculiar to Sri Lanka and is prevalent in the whole world. The super power America, ever prosperous Great Britain, Russia China and Thailand are some of the examples for this. However, the difference is that, in those countries, the Heads of the States are either ousted, defeated at polls or thrown out by military juntas. Ministers voluntarily resign. Some have even committed suicide. Can you ever imagine that this could ever happen in Sri Lanka ? If anyone is caught, it is a poor clerk or a peon in a Government office. Never is a big shark taken into task..

Sri Lanka is no doubt a poor country. You realize how poor we are when you go to the market to buy the basic day to day staples and other essential items. The reaction to the COPE accusations by the highest law making authority in the country, the Parliament, is astonishing to the law-abiding public. Accountability in our country seems to be missing and is absolutely not required. To combat corruption in our country, I cannot even imagine where to start from. Is there any remedy at all?

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