In Sri Lanka’s quest to revive the collapsed economy, eradicating corruption and waste takes a special place. As a country that has suffered for decades due to various forms of irregularities concerning public funds, this need has been underscored by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and a number of other parties as well. However, eradicating financial irregularities is not something that can be achieved with just laws. In addition to a strong will on the parts of the political authority, public authority, and the public, there should be a strong mechanism that protects and supports those who are taking a stance against financial irregularities, and without the latter, addressing corruption would only be a plan that never gets implemented.

This became a topic of discussion last week, with a financial expert turned politician claiming that his life could be in danger because of the work that he is involved in. Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chairperson and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Dr. Harsha de Silva, said that he has been intimidated by government members to stop the probes into the newly introduced visa issuance system. The lawmaker expressed deep displeasure and opposition regarding the situation, while raising concerns as to how he is supposed to continue the said probes which concern public funds. As he also raised concerns about his safety, the Parliament looked like it paid attention to Dr. de Silva’s safety and Public Security Minister Tiran Alles ordered an investigation into the matters pointed out by Dr. de Silva. To make matters worse, media reports quoted Tourism Minister Harin Fernando that he too has faced pressure for opposing the government’s decision to introduce the new visa issuance system.

While the issues raised by the both Parliamentarians’ are yet to be investigated, the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) which was tasked with investigating MP de Silva’s claims, had informed the Speaker of the house, that since no death threats had been made against de Silva, the investigation into the matter will be halted, and that the process can be revisited in the future, therefore, to inform the CID to do so. The Police in a press release stated that de Silva had said that the statement he made, was done under parliamentary privileges, and that when asked by the Speaker if there were any specific death threats made against his life, the investigation will be folded and not proceed. However, the Police have informed the Speaker that if the decision needs to be revisited, to inform them.

While, death threats against the said lawmaker may have not occurred, the fact that intimidation and threats were made points to a pattern of political behaviour, which should be a serious concern for the citizenry. First, it raises questions as to – if this is what happens to popular and powerful political figures that oppose corruption, what hope do ordinary citizens that fight corruption have? At the same time, this shows how corruption has become a type of ‘business’ that is involved, supported, and protected by powerful figures, some of whom represent political authority. For a country that has been brought to its knees by the squandering and stealing of public funds, among other reasons, this is a serious situation. On the one hand, if there is no space within the present administration to address corruption, how is the country going to address the reasons that created an economic crisis? On the other hand, if the country cannot do anything when politicians take decisions that are clearly questionable, such as the new visa issuance system, what is the use of Parliamentary committees set up to address issues in the governing system?

Sri Lanka has a long history of shooting the whistleblower. Even in the abovementioned case, the reasons behind the decision to obtain the services of a foreign company, and if the due process was followed is under scrutiny. The visa issuance system is not rocket science, and it is something that local authorities have been doing for years. Even if the new visa processing system was needed, when spending so much of public funds to get their services, due process must be followed. How else can Sri Lanka show investors that there is a balanced playing field for them, and attract much needed investments?

If the Government truly believes in the IMF programme as it claims, the Government should take more rigorous steps to address the issues pointed out by Dr. de Silva and Fernando. Further, the Speaker of the House, and both Chief Government whip and Opposition whip must ensure that there is a safe environment for such committees, which act as the checks and balances for public spending, to carry out their duties. If the Government is serious about its stance concerning the IMF programme, it should not allow threats against those investigating corruption cases, because anti-corruption measures are a key IMF requirement. In a context where the country has failed to fulfil a number of IMF programme-related obligations, instead of trying to save its position, the Government should take its role and responsibilities in protecting the economy seriously.