Governance, Accountability, and Public Trust: A Longitudinal Analysis of Sri Lanka’s Governance Performance (1996–2023)

This paper explores the dynamic interplay between governance, accountability, and public trust in the context of Sri Lanka, drawing on data from the Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) spanning from 1996 to 2023. Sri Lanka presents a unique case of post-conflict governance transformation, where efforts to strengthen democratic institutions have been continually challenged by political instability, public sector inefficiencies, and fluctuating levels of corruption. Using six WGI dimensions—Voice and Accountability, Political Stability, Government Effectiveness, Regulatory Quality, Rule of Law, and Control of Corruption—this study provides a longitudinal analysis of the country's governance performance. The findings highlight a persistent deficit in public trust, closely linked to low scores in voice and accountability and control of corruption. These dimensions show marked declines during key periods of political transition and economic crisis. The paper argues that without transparent, inclusive, and responsive governance, Sri Lanka’s path to sustainable development and reconciliation remains uncertain. The study concludes with policy recommendations for improving governance quality to rebuild citizen trust and promote institutional legitimacy in fragile democratic settings.