Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has raised concerns over the delayed financial independence of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), stressing that the Commission’s credibility and effectiveness hinge on full autonomy.
The remarks follow the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) meeting on September 11, 2025, chaired by Dr. Harsha de Silva, where the 2026 budget estimate for CIABOC was approved. Dr. de Silva highlighted the need to grant CIABOC the same level of financial autonomy currently enjoyed by the Central Bank and the Auditor General’s Department, enabling the Commission to operate independently of political influence regardless of the government in power.
TISL underscored that while CIABOC’s budget is constitutionally submitted to Parliament via the Speaker, it does not require approval from the Ministry of Finance. However, the Commission’s financial and operational independence remains constrained in practice, leaving it vulnerable to administrative and political interference.
“Financial independence is central to CIABOC’s credibility,” TISL stated. “Anti-corruption investigations are resource-intensive, politically sensitive, and often implicate high-ranking officials. Without autonomy over staffing, finances, and operational decisions, the Commission cannot function effectively or impartially.”
TISL called on Parliament, the Executive, and all relevant state institutions to ensure that CIABOC’s independence is strengthened. The organisation stressed that safeguarding autonomy does not remove accountability but allows the Commission to prioritise investigations based on evidence rather than political or bureaucratic convenience, retain skilled staff without delay, and prevent cases from being abandoned due to discomfort among those in power.
The organisation concluded that CIABOC’s ability to deter corruption and maintain public confidence rests on the same principle of independence that governs other key state institutions, while remaining transparently accountable to Parliament.