Accountability, transparency and corruption in decentralized governance

Abstract

The study examines issues related to accountability, transparency and corruption in the decentralized governance focusing local government authorities in Sri Lanka. The study was conducted based on secondary data. It was found that political and administrative factors both at local and national level influence for increased corruption, poor transparency and accountability in the working of local government authorities, which has resulted in poor participation of local citizens in decision making process and high degree of distrust on the local government authorities. As a result of these issues, positive outcomes of decentralization and good governance have not been achieved through local government authorities