Cracking down on corruption and need for changed strategies

The government has shown its intent on this front by doing things most citizens of this country thought could never happen in their lifetime

Prior to 2023, it was a very rare instance for parliamentarians, ministers or presidents of this country to be held responsible for crimes they committed wittingly or unwittingly. It had become a culture where politicians could even commit murder with impunity. Police inquiries and judicial sentences were halted or overturned on political affiliation.

A case in point being that of parliamentarian Duminda Silva. On October 8, 2011, Silva, in broad daylight and in front of hundreds of witnesses, gunned down and killed Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra. Silva was convicted of murder and sentenced to death in 2016. 

Within four months of assuming the presidency in 2019, Gotabaya Rajapaksa granted Silva—a friend of the Rajapaksa family—an amnesty and appointed him Chairman of the National Housing Development Authority.

In 2022, the Supreme Court suspended the presidential pardon and ordered Silva to be arrested and imprisoned. Political influence and corrupt practice enabled Silva to be kept in hospitals rather than prison. Silva was finally back to prison in January 2025 after a team of medical experts concluded Silva did not require treatment

Eradication of corruption was one of the primary goals of the National People’s Power (NPP) government’s campaign during its election campaign. Lowering the cost of living was another. Ensuring the country does not get entrapped by big international business interests has been one of the JVP/NPP’s battle cries.

The government has shown its intent on this front by doing things most citizens of this country thought could never happen in their lifetimes. The former Minister of Sports was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for his role in a major corruption scandal that cost the Sri Lankan government over Rs. 53 million

Alongside the Sports minister, the former Minister of Trade was handed a 25-year sentence. This marked two of the most significant convictions of political figures in recent years. The cases against both ministers commenced over five years ago. But remained in limbo until the present regime was elected to power nearly two years ago.

The former Minister of Sports is also facing a separate investigation into allegations that he authorised in 2022 a payment of $6.09m to a Chinese supplier for a fertiliser shipment that was never delivered.

In addition, a former president’s wife and children are also under investigation, and the present government needs to be appreciated and congratulated for freeing the systems of justice to function freely from political interference.

Unfortunately government has not been able to fulfil its pledge to bring down the cost of living. Today, while over 50 per cent of the population receives a monthly income of less than Rs. 60,000/-, it costs a family of four approximately Rs. 90,000/- to have two square meals a day. This is without taking the costs of schooling, medications, travel and other essentials into consideration.

While in opposition, the NPP were quick to protest decisions of the state where it felt international interests were forcing the then rulers to take decisions which did not benefit the country. Among them, for example, was the proposed wind farm in Mannar in collaboration with the Indian giant Adani.

Just days ago, it was reported that the team which travelled to the US to negotiate tariffs imposed by the Trump regime had expressed willingness to discuss the import of fuel all the way from the US. It is well-known that the US uses its economic clout to impose its will on even its closest allies. 

In dealings with the US, one needs to keep this in mind, else, like Britain, Germany and the rest of Western Europe, we will not be able to maintain an independent foreign or local policy.

An example is the pathetic role of West European countries have been subjected to. They have called on Israel to stop the genocide it is committing in Palestine. However, because of US support for Israel, they cannot even condemn Israel at the UN or call for a boycott of Israeli goods.

Our problem today stems from the fact that our biggest export market is the US. Following the recent tariffs, Lanka finds itself bartering its freedom of choice. We’re being forced into buying oil from the US. A reminder of how economic might may compel us to sell our souls.