Frequently Asked Questions 

Table of contents
What is corruption?

There are many definitions of corruption. The Asian Development Bank defines corruption as the abuse of public or private office for personal gain. This means any behavior in which people in the public or private sectors improperly and unlawfully enrich themselves or those close to them, or induce others to do so, by misusing their position.

The World Bank defines corruption as the abuse of public power for private benefit. Another widely used description is that corruption is a transaction between private and public sector actors through which collective goods are illegitimately converted into private regarding payoffs (Heidenheimer et. al. 1993:6)

In Colin Nye’s classical definition, corruption is "behaviour that deviates from the formal duties of a public role (elective or appointive) because of private regarding (personal, close family, private clique) wealth or status gains" (Nye 1967:416). An updated version with the same elements is the definition by Mushtaq Khan, who says corruption is "behaviour that deviates from the formal rules of conduct governing the actions of someone in a position of public authority because of private-regarding motives such as wealth, power, or status" (Khan 1996:12).

What are the main forms of corruption?
  • Bribery
  • Embezzlement
  • Fraud
  • Extortion
  • Favoritism

Even when these concepts are partly overlapping and at times interchangeable with other concepts, some of the basic characteristics of corruption can be identified through these concepts.

What is the Anti-Corruption Program?

The Sri Lanka Anti-Corruption Program, or ACP, was initiated by USAID to help strengthen measures to combat corruption and to monitor the disbursement of tsunami related development assistance.

Who makes decisions about the ACP’s agenda?

The ACP is guided by a Consultative Council which is comprised of members of various institutions in Sri Lanka that have experience or interest in working on Anti-corruption issues. ARD Inc., also has consultative meetings with various stakeholders for input on how to chart the course of the program, these include People’s Forums in the Tsunami Impact zone.

Who funds the ACP?

USAID. USAID has developed various programs for fighting corruption, often in response to local problems and specific windows of opportunity within a region or country. USAID’s Sri Lanka Anti-Corruption Program (ACP) is funded as part of the $135 million that USAID has earmarked for its Tsunami Recovery and Reconstruction Fund in Sri Lanka.

Do you fund the Sri Lankan Government?

We do not provide direct grants to the government, but through the ACP we are providing technical assistance and training to government institutions such as the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption and the Auditor General’s Department.

Do you give grants to individuals?

No. We give grants to registered institutions only.

What is ARD Inc. (link outside this site)?

ARD is a US-based consulting company that has been selected by USAID to undertake the Sri Lanka Anti-Corruption Program (ACP). Through the ACP, ARD will design and implement activities aimed at limiting opportunities for corruption, increasing transparency, improving oversight, establishing effective sanctions, and realigning official incentives to public ends. The ACP will also provide technical assistance and small grants to strengthen civil society organizations, advocacy, monitoring, and investigative journalism.

Is it an NGO?

No. ARD Inc. is a US-based private for-profit consulting company.

How can I get involved?

If you would like to get involved in combating corruption, please follow this link: Get Involved!

What are people doing to combat corruption in Sri Lanka?