Local Government Representatives Receive Fresh Anti-Corruption Focus

Sri Lanka’s lead anti-corruption agency has rolled out a comprehensive training initiative. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) is focusing on elected members of local governance structures.

This nationwide program, called “Integrity for Local Governance: Empowering Elected Members for a Corruption-Free Sri Lanka,” represents a sharpened national priority. It aims to instill principles of honesty and compliance at the grassroots level.

Over 8,700 elected persons will undergo this training. They will receive detailed instruction on the updated Anti-Corruption Act No. 09 of 2023, which carries stricter provisions.

CIABOC’s action is a strategic move to fortify the country’s democratic foundations. The ultimate objective is to foster a “Country of Integrity” starting from communities.

This development is a key part of broader institutional reforms. It underscores a commitment to transparent and accountable leadership across all tiers of public service.

Sri Lanka Launches Nationwide Integrity Training for Local Officials

Starting in August 2025, a structured sequence of 40 provincial workshops will engage every elected official serving in Sri Lanka’s community councils. This marks the operational launch of a major integrity-building project.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) is directly managing this effort. It targets more than 8,700 elected members from Municipal Councils, Urban Councils, and Pradeshiya Sabhas. The program is formally titled “Integrity for Local Governance.”

CIABOC Leads Initiative to Empower Over 8,700 Elected Members

The core mission is to empower these frontline leaders with a strong ethical framework. Sessions will instill principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability. This knowledge is crucial for their daily work in public service delivery.

Empowering these officials directly influences citizen confidence. Strengthening their ethical conduct helps rebuild public trust in government institutions. The 40 workshops are the vehicle to achieve complete nationwide coverage efficiently.

Program Aims to Build a “Country of Integrity” from the Ground Up

The vision of a “Country of Integrity” starts at the community level. By educating those closest to the people, the nation builds a foundation of honesty from the bottom up. This grassroots focus is a strategic choice for lasting change.

This training is a practical action within a larger national anti-corruption strategy. It aligns with the country’s action plan for the period 2025-2029. The goal is systemic development anchored in strong governance.

“Integrity for Local Governance”: A Curriculum for Compliance

Central to the nationwide workshops is a specific curriculum designed to translate anti-corruption principles into daily practice. Technical sessions led by CIABOC officials, legal experts, and governance practitioners form its core.

This structured program moves beyond theory. It provides elected members with the tools for compliant decision-making within their communities.

The curriculum directly supports the national action plan for strengthening public institutions. Its modules address the most pressing legal and ethical challenges faced at the community level.

Key Provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 09 of 2023

A major module dissects the updated Anti-Corruption Act No. 09 of 2023. Trainers highlight provisions with direct impact on municipal and council operations.

Officials learn about expanded definitions of bribery and corruption. The act no. 2023 introduces stricter penalties and broader investigative powers for authorities.

Key areas covered include:

• Prohibitions on soliciting or accepting undue advantage.
• New offenses related to abuse of functions.
• Enhanced provisions for prosecuting illicit enrichment.

Understanding this law is crucial. It defines the legal boundaries for conduct and shapes the response from bodies like the commission to investigate allegations.

Managing Conflict of Interest and Asset Declaration

This practical module teaches officials to identify and manage conflicts of interest. A conflict arises when personal interests could improperly influence public duty.

The training provides clear steps for disclosure and recusal. This process is vital for maintaining trust in community development projects.

A closely linked topic is asset declaration. Elected members must declare their assets and liabilities periodically. This mandatory process is a powerful tool for accountability.

It helps prevent illicit enrichment and allows the public to scrutinize wealth accumulation. Compliance with this rule is a basic pillar of ethical governance.

Utilizing Right to Information for Greater Transparency

The curriculum positions the Right to Information (RTI) Act as a key tool for transparency. Officials learn how citizens can use RTI to request data on council activities.

More importantly, training covers how officials should proactively disclose information. This builds public confidence and reduces space for misconduct.

Using RTI effectively demonstrates a commitment to open governance. It turns a legal requirement into a practice that strengthens democratic institutions.

The entire curriculum connects to CIABOC’s mandate to investigate allegations of bribery corruption. By clarifying legal standards, it aims to prevent allegations from arising in the first place.

The ultimate goal is to institutionalize ethical leadership. Knowledge from these sessions must guide everyday actions within local bodies.

Inaugural Session Kicks Off with High-Level Commitment

The nationwide integrity training program formally commenced with a high-profile launch event in late August 2025. This marked the official start of a sustained national action to build ethical leadership.

The serious tone of the day underscored the importance placed on this initiative by the country‘s top government bodies.

Western Province Hosts First of 40 Planned Provincial Workshops

The inaugural session was held on 28 August 2025. It took place at the Western Provincial Council Auditorium in Battaramulla.

This gathering was the first in a series of 40 provincial workshops. It symbolized the beginning of a methodical, nationwide effort.

Attendees included both newly elected and returning council members. Their presence highlighted the program’s comprehensive reach across all tiers of public service.

Prime Minister and CIABOC Director General Deliver Key Addresses

The event featured high-level political and institutional commitment. Welcome Remarks were delivered by Mr. R.S.A. Dissanayake, the Director General of the commission to investigate bribery corruption (CIABOC).

He set the operational tone for the initiative, emphasizing its role in strengthening public institutions.

Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasooriya then delivered the Keynote Address. Her participation reinforced the national action plan’s top-level support.

She stressed the critical link between transparency at the community level and national governance. This launch is significant news for Sri Lanka‘s anti-corruption landscape.

Why the Grassroots Are Critical in the Fight Against Corruption

For any anti-corruption strategy to succeed, it must secure its most vulnerable frontline. In Sri Lanka, this frontline is found in community councils and municipal bodies. These are the entities where policies become reality for everyday citizens.

Strengthening this tier is a strategic priority within the national action plan. The focus on education here aims to build a robust foundation for national development.

Local Government as the Frontline of Public Service Delivery

Municipal Councils, Urban Councils, and Pradeshiya Sabhas handle essential services. They manage permits, sanitation, roads, and community projects. This is where people most directly interact with the state.

Integrity at this level is fundamental for building public trust. When citizens see fair and honest service delivery, their confidence in all government institutions grows. A breakdown here damages the entire system’s credibility.

These bodies are the engine of local development. Their effective, ethical operation directly impacts community well-being and economic activity.

Addressing Vulnerabilities in Municipal and Pradeshiya Sabha Institutions

This proximity to communities and resources also creates vulnerability. Officials face constant pressure and temptation. Mismanagement and graft can occur in procurement, permits, and project allocations.

A purely reactive approach—waiting for allegations to investigate—is insufficient. The commission to investigate allegations of bribery corruption recognizes this. Proactive education and capacity building are necessary defenses.

Empowering officials with knowledge is a preventive measure. It aims to reduce the number of future allegations bribery and investigations. This builds a culture of compliance from within.

Strengthening grassroots governance is essential for sustainable progress. It ensures effective service delivery and fosters a nationwide culture of accountability and transparency. This is how a country wins the long-term fight corruption.

Anchored in the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan

The workshops for elected officials are not a standalone effort but a core component of a wider, multi-year plan. This drive is systematically aligned with Sri Lanka‘s primary policy blueprint for combating graft.

That blueprint is the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP) for 2025-2029. This action plan outlines a structured national action to strengthen governance and promote integrity.

It fulfills international commitments under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). The current phase, NACAP 2025-2029, prioritizes education and public engagement as fundamental pillars.

Aligning with NACAP 2025-2029 Goals on Education and Engagement

The training initiative directly executes the plan’s goals. It transforms high-level strategy into practical learning for those in public service.

By educating council members, the program builds a culture of accountability from within institutions. This meets a key objective of the five-year plan.

Engaging communities through more transparent officials is another goal. The workshops equip leaders to foster public trust, which is essential for national development.

A Multi-Agency Effort with Provincial and Ministry Partners

Successful implementation relies on a collaborative model. CIABOC leads the program in partnership with major state bodies.

Key partners include the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. Their involvement ensures the training reflects actual administrative contexts.

Provincial Councils and their Training Institutes provide crucial logistical and regional expertise. Local Government Institutions help tailor content to ground-level realities.

This multi-agency approach is a best practice for complex reform. It pools resources and knowledge for a more impactful national anti-corruption action.

The model demonstrates how coordinated leadership across different levels of governance can achieve strategic aims.

CIABOC Expands Reach: District Offices with Greater Powers Planned

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption is preparing a significant geographic expansion. This move represents the next logical step to enhance its operational reach.

Parallel to the nationwide integrity training, a major institutional transformation is outlined in official policy. The government is set to decentralize CIABOC by establishing regional offices.

These new offices will operate at the district level with greater powers. This expansion aims to make the commission more responsive to allegations across the country.

Governance Action Plan-2026 Mandates Decentralization by 2027

The directive comes from the Governance Action Plan-2026. This blueprint mandates a detailed decentralization strategy for the anti-corruption body.

A plan outlining the authority and structure of 24 district offices must be finalized before December 2025. This is a firm deadline set by the national action plan.

The process involves the Ministry of Justice. It requires consultation with the Chief Justice and the President of the Court of Appeal.

New regulations under the Judicature Act will be published following these consultations. Final parliamentary approval is needed before operations can begin.

If the timeline holds, these district offices will start functioning from January 2027. This structural shift is a cornerstone of the broader governance reform agenda.

Institutional Restructuring and New Regulations on the Horizon

Internal reforms for CIABOC itself are also scheduled. Rules governing appointment, promotion, and conduct of its staff are due for an overhaul.

This institutional restructuring is scheduled for completion by June 2025. It aims to modernize the commission‘s internal governance.

A Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) is also part of the transformation. It awaits Cabinet approval and could help streamline the organization.

These changes are designed to strengthen CIABOC’s capacity to investigate allegations effectively. Empowered district offices will bring investigators closer to where allegations bribery corruption may arise.

This expansion complements the ongoing training for council members. Together, they form a dual strategy of prevention and enhanced enforcement.

For the public, this is significant news. It signals a sustained national action to root out graft and support ethical development.

The Foundation: Sri Lanka’s National Action Plan for Combating Bribery and Corruption

The strategic blueprint guiding Sri Lanka’s current anti-graft initiatives was formally adopted in early 2019. This document is the National Action Plan for Combating Bribery and Corruption (NAP).

It provides the core strategic vision for all subsequent efforts. The Cabinet granted its approval on 5 February 2019. The official public launch followed on 18 March of that same year.

Formulated in Response to UNCAC and International Obligations

The primary driver for creating the NAP was a key international commitment. Sri Lanka ratified the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in 2004.

As a state party, the country was obligated to implement its provisions. The NAP is the formal national action to fulfill this treaty duty.

Other global factors also shaped the plan. Recommendations from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) played a role.

The European Commission’s GSP+ trade concession framework was another influence. So was the UN Sustainable Development Goal 16.5, which targets corruption reduction.

A Five-Year Strategy Born from Nationwide Public Consultations

This was not a policy created behind closed doors. Its formulation involved an extensive, participatory process known as sangayana.

These were island-wide public consultations. They ensured the strategy reflected a broad societal consensus.

Diverse stakeholder groups provided direct input during its development. Key participants included:

• Members of Parliament
• Officials from the public sector
• Private sector business leaders
• Civil society organizations
• Media representatives

This inclusive approach meant the national anti-corruption action plan was built from the ground up. It gathered views on tackling bribery corruption from across society.

The resulting five-year strategy became the foundational document. It guides everything from law reform to public education.

Current initiatives, like the integrity training for council members, stem from this original plan. They are practical executions of its vision for national development through stronger governance.

Four Pillars of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy

The national framework for tackling corruption rests on a quartet of foundational strategies designed for systemic impact. These four pillars form the operational core of the National Action Plan.

They provide a structured roadmap for the country’s comprehensive fight corruption. Each pillar addresses a different aspect of the challenge, from stopping problems before they start to updating the legal rules.

This multi-pronged plan ensures efforts are coordinated and far-reaching. The integrity training for council members is a direct result of this strategic design.

Prevention Measures and Institutional Integrity

The first pillar is all about stopping corruption before it happens. It focuses on building strong integrity systems within government institutions.

Key actions include setting up dedicated corruption prevention divisions. These units work inside ministries and agencies to identify risks.

The pillar also targets specific high-risk areas. It promotes ethical conduct among elected officials and reforms public procurement processes.

Strengthening these internal controls is a proactive step. It aims to build public trust by making systems more robust from within.

Value-Based Education and Public Awareness

Pillar two recognizes that lasting change requires a shift in culture. It invests in education and public outreach to foster ethical values.

Programs are developed to teach integrity to young people in schools. Widespread awareness campaigns inform citizens about their rights.

The strategy actively engages media and civil society groups. These partners help spread information and hold power to account.

This pillar turns education into a tool for national development. An informed public is a powerful force for accountability.

Strengthening CIABOC and Law Enforcement Agencies

The third pillar is about empowering the watchdogs. It focuses on boosting the capacity of the commission to investigate bribery corruption and other agencies.

This involves providing better training, resources, and technology. The goal is to make investigations more effective and efficient.

Strengthening these bodies ensures allegations are pursued rigorously. A capable commission deters potential offenders and delivers justice.

This institutional support is crucial for enforcing the rules. It backs up preventive and educational efforts with credible enforcement.

Comprehensive Law and Policy Reforms

The final pillar updates the legal framework itself. It drives the review and modernization of laws and policies related to graft.

This work culminated in landmark legislation like the Anti-Corruption Act No. 09 of 2023. Such reforms close loopholes and introduce stricter penalties.

The process ensures the legal system can keep pace with new forms of bribery corruption. Strong laws provide a clear foundation for all other actions.

This pillar guarantees that the action plan is rooted in a solid and updated legal structure. It is the backbone of the entire strategy.

To guide implementation, four practical handbooks were published. They cover Gift Rules, Conflict of Interest, Integrity for state officials, and legislative amendments.

The training for council members is a prime example of this strategy in action. It directly executes Pillar A by preventing misconduct among elected officials.

It also fulfills Pillar B by providing essential education and information. This initiative shows how the pillars work together to promote transparency across Sri Lanka.

Monitoring Progress: The Role of the National Integrity Council

To ensure its anti-corruption strategy delivers results, Sri Lanka has established a dedicated oversight body. This system moves the national action plan from paper to practice.

A robust framework tracks implementation and holds all parties responsible. It is designed to provide objective evaluation and drive continuous improvement.

A Rigorous Framework for Oversight and Evaluation

The President will appoint a National Integrity Council. This panel comprises independent experts with multi-stakeholder representation.

Its primary mandate is to monitor and evaluate the entire National Action Plan. The council performs periodic reviews of the plan‘s progress.

Key responsibilities include reviewing detailed reports from public institutions. The council analyzes this data to suggest concrete improvements.

Its findings and recommendations are then reported directly to the Cabinet. This creates a direct line of accountability to the highest executive level.

The framework allows for the adjustment of key performance indicators. It also ensures resources are allocated properly to meet strategic goals.

Ensuring Accountability from Institutions to the Cabinet

A clear hierarchical structure enforces this accountability. Each public institution must have its own Corruption Prevention Committee and an Integrity Officer.

These internal officers are directly accountable to the head of their institution. They are the first line of defense in promoting integrity.

Institutional heads then compile reports and submit them via their line ministries. These reports flow upward to the National Integrity Council for assessment.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has a core technical role. It acts as the secretariat, facilitating the entire monitoring process.

CIABOC provides essential guidance and support to the council and institutions. This helps standardize reporting and strengthens the overall governance mechanism.

This systematic approach is critical for achieving tangible results. It transforms the national action into measurable progress for the country’s development.

The structure ensures that every level, from frontline officers to the Cabinet, is engaged. It builds a culture of continuous integrity and transparent governance.

Building a Culture of Integrity for Sri Lanka’s Future

The ultimate success of anti-graft measures depends on embedding integrity into the nation’s social fabric. Sri Lanka‘s comprehensive action plan weaves together grassroots training, national strategy, and institutional reform into a unified vision.

This long-term cultural shift is a collective national goal. Eradicating bribery corruption requires commitment from every sector, not just the commission to investigate. The aim is to cultivate a younger generation with good values and a fair justice system.

Concrete investments at the community level, supported by structural changes, are essential. They foster sustainable development, economic stability, and restored public trust. Integrity forms the foundation for a prosperous and just future, built on accountability and transparency.