By The commissioner general of the inland revenue has warned that “ “If you don’t kill Corruption, it will kill Sri Lanka”
The World Bank estimates that corruption costs Sri Lanka an estimated 20% of its GDP.
The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has introduced a number of measures to combat corruption, including an incentive-based mechanism where honest staff members are encouraged to make complaints with evidence against taxpayers who attempt to offer bribes.
The IRD has also set up a complaint box at its head office premises where complaints can be lodged against IRD employees.
The IRD’s new measures are a positive step towards combating corruption in Sri Lanka.
However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of corruption, such as poverty, lack of education, and weak institutions.
Here are some statistics on the impact of corruption in Sri Lanka:
• Corruption is a major obstacle to foreign investment. Businesses are reluctant to invest in countries where there is a high level of corruption.
• A survey by Transparency International found that 74% of Sri Lankans believe that corruption is widespread in the country.
• Only 19% of Sri Lankans believe that the government is doing enough to fight corruption.
