Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC

Thank you for this opportunity. I wonder whether the Government side hurriedly brought this motion to congratulate itself for moving to rank 107 with a score of 35 on the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index. In 2016, when the good governance administration came, where were we on that index? We were at rank 95 then; last year we were at 121; now at 107. Self-congratulation for moving from 121 to 107 seems premature. If you study the CPI and also Verité Research’s indices properly, you will find more useful insights. In 2002 we had our best ranking—52nd—with 40 points. Today we are at 107. Let us aspire from that benchmark instead of being overly excited. Do not cherry-pick indices for comfort. That said, corruption must be eliminated. We, as the Opposition, along with the people, will fully support ending corruption. Responsibility rests not only with the Government but with the entire Parliament. The primary driver of petty corruption is economic hardship. In our villages, a person without a helmet or caught for speeding may pay a small bribe to the police; someone may pay for a certificate from a Grama Niladhari. These start from economic pressures. This cannot be fixed in a year or two. We are happy you are measuring progress using the CPI—this is good work. In 2016 we were at 91st; in 2002 we were 52nd. Generally, above 40 points is considered satisfactory; 30 or 35 is not even a “simple pass”. We should aim higher. We appreciate the Government’s efforts to curb corruption guided by these standards and we will support them. There is no issue from the Opposition with your anti-corruption efforts under the “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life” manifesto. I will also add in Tamil: we fully support your efforts to eradicate corruption to build a beautiful life. The younger generation is determined to end corruption. This is not only the Government’s task; the Opposition, too, must be exemplary. I must say: our Leader of the Opposition is a person 100% free of corruption allegations—never charged or convicted in any court for corruption. If the Government proudly claims to be clean, the main Opposition is likewise a team of MPs free of corruption. Do not fall into a new culture of self-praise; many past governments that did so faced trouble. Let the people judge. If you are so confident that corruption has been reduced, then face the people. Conclude the Select Committee work and, within three months, hold the Provincial Council elections. Thank you.