Anti-corruption efforts must be accompanied by greater transparency

The recent meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of the Secretary to the President, Mr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, to review the functioning of Internal Affairs Units and the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan 2025-2029 is a welcome development.

- A Concerned Importer

Particularly encouraging is the decision to focus attention on three of the country's most important revenue-generating and revenue-collecting institutions: Sri Lanka Customs, the Inland Revenue Department, and the Department of Excise. These institutions interact daily with taxpayers, importers, exporters, manufacturers, service providers, and the general public. Their efficiency, integrity, and accountability have a direct impact on the country's economic environment and public confidence in government administration.

The fact that the meeting was chaired by former Director General of Customs, Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, is particularly encouraging. Having served within the Customs Department, he should possess an intimate understanding of the institution, its operations, and the challenges that have confronted successive administrations. There is perhaps no one better placed to initiate a discussion on the reforms necessary to enhance transparency, accountability, and public confidence in revenue administration.

His willingness to bring Sri Lanka Customs, the Inland Revenue Department, and the Department of Excise under the anti-corruption spotlight is therefore commendable. Effective reform is most likely to succeed when it is led by those who understand the system from within.

The public announcement following the meeting confirms that anti-corruption measures and future initiatives were reviewed. However, it provides little indication of the specific issues discussed, the concerns raised, or the actions agreed upon. If the objective of the meeting was to strengthen public confidence in anti-corruption efforts, greater transparency regarding the matters discussed would be helpful.