Sri Lanka has bettered its position in Transparency International’s global annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) earning the 86th position out of 183 countries for 2011.

Sri Lanka has registered a score of 3.3 points, with “0” denoting that a country is perceived as highly corrupt, and “10” denoting that a country is perceived as very clean. In 2010, Sri Lanka was ranked at 91 out of 178 countries with 3.2 points. In 2009, Sri Lanka was placed at 97 among 180 countries with 3.1 points, reflecting a steady improvement in the CPI rankings.

The TI’s CPI ranks countries on the basis of the perceived levels of public sector corruption. Bulgaria, Jamaica, Panama and Serbia have also been ranked at 86 alongside Sri Lanka with scores of 3.3 points.

Only Bhutan has out-performed Sri Lanka from among the South Asian states earning a position of 38 with a score of 5.7 points. The rankings of other SAARC countries are as follows: India at 95 with 3.1 points; Bangladesh at 120 with 2.7 points; the Maldives and Pakistan at 134 with 2.5 points; Nepal at 154 with 2.2 points; and Afghanistan at 180 with 1.5 points.

New Zealand, with a top score of 9.5 points has been placed first, while North Korea and Somalia have been ranked last at 182 with a score of 1.0 points.

According to the TI’s CPI report, “The 2011 index draws on different assessments and business opinion surveys carried out by independent and reputable institutions. The surveys and assessments used to compile the index include questions relating to the bribery of public officials, kickbacks in public procurement, embezzlement of public funds, and questions that probe the strength and effectiveness of public-sector anti-corruption efforts.”

It further states that “Perceptions are used because corruption – whether frequency or amount – is to a great extent a hidden activity that is difficult to measure. Over time, perceptions have proved to be a reliable estimate of corruption.” (Ayesha Zuhair)