Only 38.7% Sri Lankans believe govt. can curb corruption: Survey

By Yohan Perera   

Only 38. 7 per cent of Sri Lankan people believe that the  current government will be effective in addressing corruption, a report of  a survey has revealed.   

Sri Lanka Barometer (SLB) National Public Opinion Survey on  reconciliation, accountable governance and active citizenship conducted  by Strengthening Social Cohesion and Peace in Sri Lanka (SCOPE), a  project co-funded by the European Union, German Federal Foreign Office, has  revealed that 38.7 per cent believe that the current government will be  effective in addressing corruption.   

Also, the survey has revealed that only 12.5 per cent  believe that the previous governments were effective in dealing with  corruption.   

As per the survey, 48.5 per cent understand the meaning of  reconciliation as unity and positive relations between groups, making an  increasing convergence towards a relationship-based understanding of  reconciliation.

Referring to the subject of reconciliation, Deputy Minister  of Religious and Cultural Affairs Muneer Mulaffer who was speaking  during a ceremony held to mark the closing of the project, said correct  information is essential for the reconciliation process to be a success.  “Misinformation will destroy reconciliation. Also, one cannot depend on  third-party information when it comes to ensuring reconciliation,” the  Deputy Minister said.  

European Union Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Carmen  Moreno hailed SCOPE for its role in helping build bridges between  institutions, communities and individuals. “European Union is proud to  have supported this effort to strengthen social cohesion. As Sri Lanka  continues its journey, the lessons and partnerships forged through SCOPE  will remain a lasting contribution,” he said.   

German Ambassador to Sri Lanka Felix Neumann said Germany  attaches great importance to open dialogue, reconciliation and learning  from the past.