In Sri Lanka, the public’s demand to arrest former politicians accused of corruption reverberates through protests and social media, reflecting deep-seated frustration with elites who seem to plunder with impunity. This mindset, born from decades of scandals like the 2015 Central Bank bond scam and allegations of misappropriated tsunami relief funds, sees jailing high-profile figures as a quick fix for a nation battered by economic crises, like the 2022 collapse (en.wikipedia.org). Yet, this focus on individuals ignores the deeper issue: a systemic pyramid where those at the top wield unchecked power, while the masses, complicit in petty bribery, fuel the same corrupt system they condemn. Is corruption a product of greedy individuals or a flawed system? The answer lies in both, and tackling it requires governance reform that reshapes the system and fosters public accountability (elibrary.imf.org).
Origins of the “Arrest Them” Mindset
The obsession with punishing ex-politicians stems from a history of betrayal. From the 2004 tsunami fund mismanagement to the 2022 economic crisis, where political families allegedly siphoned billions, public trust has eroded (groundviews.org). The 2022 protests, sparked by hyperinflation and shortages, saw citizens storm the presidential residence, chanting against corrupt elites (asia.nikkei.com). This anger targets figures like the Rajapaksas, accused of embezzlement, yet the 2015 Yahapalanaya government’s failure to deliver on anti-corruption promises—itself embroiled in the bond scam—deepened cynicism (en.wikipedia.org). The mindset reflects a yearning for justice but assumes individual punishment will dismantle a deeply entrenched system, ignoring how the pyramid structure enables corruption.
System vs. Individuals: The Pyramid of Power
Corruption in Sri Lanka thrives in a hierarchical system where power concentrates at the top. Politicians, bureaucrats, and tycoons exploit discretionary powers in procurement, tax exemptions, and state contracts, as seen in cases like the Adani wind power deal, criticized for opaque negotiations (thediplomat.com). A 2023 IMF report highlighted severe governance weaknesses, with tax revenue plummeting to 8% of GDP in 2022 due to inefficient collection and lack of transparency (elibrary.imf.org). Pyramid schemes like OnmaxDT, defrauding citizens of billions, flourish under lax enforcement, with elites often escaping accountability (cbsl.gov.lk). Meanwhile, the masses at the pyramid’s base engage in petty bribery—paying for driver’s licenses or school admissions—normalizing corruption as a survival tactic (cepa.lk). A 2024 survey found 40% of Sri Lankans view local officials as corrupt, yet many admit to offering bribes to navigate bureaucracy (transparency.org). This dual complicity—grand corruption at the top, petty corruption below—sustains the system, with public outrage misdirected at elites alone.
The Limits of Arresting Politicians
Arresting ex-politicians, like the 2025 CIABOC cases against former officials of Sri Lankan Airlines and the Fishery Harbour Corporation, delivers symbolic justice but fails to address systemic roots (ciaboc.gov.lk). The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) filed 42 cases in 2024, convicting only eight low-level officials, as powerful figures often secure pardons or flee abroad (state.gov). Weak judicial independence and political interference, with only 5% of Sri Lankans trusting judges to be impartial, undermine prosecutions (ganintegrity.com). The 2023 Anti-Corruption Act strengthened legal frameworks, but enforcement lags due to underfunded agencies and elite influence (opengovpartnership.org). Focusing on arrests creates a spectacle but leaves the pyramid intact, allowing new leaders to exploit the same loopholes.
A Behavioral Angle: Why Good People Turn Corrupt
Corruption isn’t just systemic; it’s psychological. Chronic stress from high living costs and social pressures pushes even ethical individuals toward bribery, as neuroscience suggests stress impairs ethical decision-making (themorning.lk). The education system, with its intense competition, ingrains a culture of cutting corners from childhood. Citizens justify petty bribes to speed up services, while elites rationalize grand corruption as “necessary” for political survival. This moral dissonance, where 57% of Sri Lankans believe they can fight corruption yet participate in it, perpetuates the cycle (transparency.org). The system’s design—opaque, hierarchical, and unaccountable—exploits these human tendencies, making reform urgent.
Solutions: Rebuilding for Social Impact
To dismantle corruption, Sri Lanka must prioritize systemic change and public engagement over punitive fixes:
- Bolster Institutions: Fully implement the 2023 Anti-Corruption Act with independent audits and digital asset declarations for officials, reducing discretionary powers (ciaboc.gov.lk). Strengthen CIABOC with funding and training, as its 2025 budget remains 50% below Hong Kong’s anti-corruption agency (ciaboc.gov.lk).
- Enhance Transparency: Expand the Right to Information (RTI) Act’s reach, mandating proactive disclosure of contracts and budgets. A 2024 RTI campaign in Colombo exposed a procurement scam, proving its potential (opengovpartnership.org).
- Educate and Empower: Launch nationwide programs in schools and communities to teach ethical decision-making and public accountability, countering the normalization of bribery. A 2025 pilot reduced petty corruption by 10% in targeted districts (ciaboc.gov.lk).
- Protect Whistleblowers: Enact robust laws to shield those exposing corruption, as current protections are weak, with 60% of whistleblowers facing retaliation (humanrights.asia).
- Engage Civil Society: Partner with organizations to monitor governance, as seen in Transparency International’s advocacy for open data, fostering social impact (transparency.org).
- Address Inequality: Tackle income disparities, which fuel desperation and corruption. Direct cash transfers, as implemented in 2023, reduced poverty-driven bribery by 5% in rural areas (bti-project.org).
A Path Forward
Arresting ex-politicians may appease public anger, but it’s a bandage on a broken system. Sri Lanka’s corruption thrives in a pyramid where elites exploit power, and citizens, trapped by necessity, enable petty graft. The 2022 crisis showed the stakes—poverty spiked, and trust in governance hit historic lows. By reforming institutions, promoting transparency, and fostering a culture of integrity, Sri Lanka can rebuild trust and equity. Governance reform must empower citizens to hold all levels accountable, ensuring a future where corruption no longer strangles progress (opengovpartnership.org).