The Index assesses nine factors in this regard in each country, namely, constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice, criminal justice and informal justice.

According to the WJP Rule of Law Index 2014 Report “Sri Lanka ranks 48th globally and outperforms its regional peers in most dimensions of the rule of law. The country also outpaces most lower-middle income countries in several areas, ranking second in delivering effective criminal justice, despite a recent deterioration in this area. Control of corruption is relatively effective (ranking 39th globally and first in the region)…..” Honorary Chairs of the Projects includes, among others, personalities like Madeleine Albright, Colin Powell, Desmond Tutu and Mary Robinson.

The World Justice Report and the 2014 Index data is available at www.worldjusticeproject.org. (KH)