By Prof. Samitha Hettige

Sri Lankans defeated their Socialist government in 1977 due to reasons including corruption which may have been a result of far too state controls. The successive government ruled for 17 years & was later referred to as the 17 year curse by some. During the period most senior public officials started using ‘Pajero’ jeeps & some in the opposition interpreted it as ‘Pagava & Jarava’ (i.e. bribery & corruption). Malaysia’s Mahathir Mohammed once said corruption is relative & prevails everywhere. Corruption is defined as illegal, bad, or dishonest behavior especially by people in positions of power (Ref. Cambridge). Corruption was a key factor during elections & Sri Lankans made an unprecedented decision to appoint a new group believed to be with socialist ideologies in 2024 to reduce bribery & corruption. With the development initiatives to be implemented plus the ‘Ditwah’ rehabilitation, people & policy makers will have to be extra vigilant in battling bribery & corruption. In that effort the latest move by the Communist Party of China (CPC) which manages the world’s 2^nd largest economy would be very useful.

How does China manage corruption?

The Political Bureau of the CPC central committee met on Thursday to review discipline inspection work & set priorities for 2026 to strengthen China's fight against corruption. At the meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed that clean governance & combating corruption is a journey without end. Chinese leader’s view on having a corruption free party to ensure national economic growth is a lesson for Sri Lankans. The meeting had reaffirmed the implementing of CPC's ‘8 point decision’ on improving party & government conduct encouraging  official behavior more standardized & institutionalized (Ref. Media).

The ‘8 point decision’ was adopted by the CPC leadership in December 2012 addressing chronic bureaucratic issues, official privileges, extravagant banquets & research tours etc. Western analysts have indicated that these regulations clearly show the difference between China's approach in dealing with corruption & absence of such in the west. They have noticed how China's laws extend from major issues to details such as official meals & business trips observing a complete difference in the approach. President Xi’s vision on focusing on the number of problems solved & not the number of meetings held, number of speeches given & number of documents completed is a good lesson for public leaders. The Chinese belief on the relationship between tangible results & the commitment of public officials is a good lesson for Sri Lankans to ensure public funds reaching those who need it most.

The ‘8 point decision’

1. Grassroots Research: Better understanding of actual conditions through in depth studies.
2. Streamlined Meetings: Making meetings more efficient & improving conduct.
3. Concise Documents: Reducing paperwork & improving writing.
4. Standardized Visits Abroad: Regulating procedures for working trips.
5. Improved Security: Observing principles that improve relations with the people.
6. Better News Reporting: Enhancing media coverage.
7. Strict Publication Rules: Controlling articles published by officials.
8. Frugality & Anti-Corruption: Promoting simple living & strict observance of anti-corruption rules (Ref. IDCPC).

Views expressed are personal/ Photo source www