Asia and corruption!

- Thinakkural Editorial

(August 24, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Transparency International Organization has said in its report that corruption has increased in Asia, as a threat to the economic growth and social welfare. In fact, the corruption has increased badly compared to what it had been a decade ago.

Asian countries only pay lip service protesting against corruption. As a result of corruption, prices of goods and services charges have increased by 30 to 40 percent in the affected countries.
As far as our region is concern political activities and corruption are inter linked. Unfortunately, it can be noted that corruption has been accepted as a normal behaviour or conduct in the society today. Work cannot be done quickly without giving bribes to government officials in most cases.

There is a lack of public awareness about the harmful effects of corruption. There is a lack of political will to eradicate corruption or to bring the culprits to justice. There is a lack of determination to fight against corruption.

All activities taken to eradicate corruption are merely a political drama. That is the reason for the sorry plight of the Asian countries. When politic is infected and diseased, corruption cannot be eradicated from the society.

(An English translation of the Editorial in Thinakkural, a Tamil daily, based in Colombo.) - Sri Lanka Guardian