Sri Lanka More Corrupt Under Yahapālanaya Than Under Rajapaksa Regime

January 25, 2017

Sri Lanka has become more corrupt under Yahapalanaya than it was under the Rajapaksa regime according to this years’ Corruption Perceptions Index.

According to the 2016 annual Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which ranks countries according to the perceived level of public sector corruption, Sri Lanka has ranked 95th among 176 countries, dropping down the rank by 10 slots when compared to 2014.

According to the 2015 annual CPI, Sri Lanka has ranked 83rd among 168 countries. This is a marginal improvement on its 85th placed ranking in 2014.

There was a gradual deterioration of the country’s position of corruption perception from 2005 in which year it had been ranked at 78 out of 159 countries. Out of 177 countries that have been surveyed, Sri Lanka is ranked at 91 in 2013, a slippage from 79 out of 176 countries in 2012.

“Globally, the data reveals that a staggering 69% of the 176 countries scored below 50 in the 2016 CPI indicating the high levels of perceived public sector corruption prevalent throughout the world. 2016 also marks an alarming trend where more countries declined rather than improved in the overall index.” the Transparency International Sri Lanka said today.

Denmark and New Zealand are jointly ranked 1st in the 2016 CPI with a score of 90 followed by Finland, Sweden and Switzerland ranked 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively. India has scored highest in the South Asian region with a score of 40 and ranked 79th overall. India is followed by Sri Lanka and the Maldives which are jointly ranked 95th.

Read More