Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) commemorated, for the 4th consecutive year, UN International Anti-Corruption Day on 09th December 2007 at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. Chief Guest of the event was Dr.Kiaran Bedi; a crystal clear illustration of integrity. Justice Amir Ismail; Chairperson of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption was the Honored Guest. The Guest of Honour; Ms.Ranmenike Adikari, is an outstanding student of Navagiridamara Maha Vidyalaya in Dimbulagala in Polnnnaruwa.
Sinhala Edition of the Press Release
Tamil Edition of the Press Release
The main objective of the National Integrity Awards (NIA) was to recognize the courage and determination of many individuals fighting corruption and to make such people a source of inspiration to the Anti Corruption movement. Such individuals play an important role despite the enormous threats to both their official standing and their personal lives.
‘People should come in to the street and ask to end corruption rather demanding for jobs. If we have a country without corruption people can enjoy more job opportunities’ said National Integrity Awards 2007 winner Mr. S.K. Liyanage. This award was presented to him in recognition of his commitment in fighting corruption for more than 33 years as a civil servant.
Mrs. Shyamala Dhrashani Fernando; who fought against corruptions in the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, recognized with special mention for this year’s National Integrity Award.
Winners received their awards from Dr.Kiran Bedi. She was the first woman police officer in India to become Inspector General of Prisons. She was the recipient of various awards including the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1994, referred to as the Asian Nobel Prize.
Dr Bedi emphasized ‘Formation of a movement to fight for Right to Information in Sri Lanka which can be the first step towards ending corruption, and civil society must take the lead for the same’ . In her speech, Dr. Kiran Bedi urged the Award winners to continue with their struggle in fighting corruption. ‘Children and women are the most affected due to corruption’ Dr. Bedi continued. She requested Sri Lankan civil society leaders to form a strong movement. Also she mentioned that Sri Lanka had produced 6 Ramon Magsaysay Award winners.
According to Mr. J.C. Weliamuna, Executive Director of TISL, ‘Transparency International Sri Lana has received 53 nominations for National Integrity Award 2007 and awardees were selected by independent panel of adjudicators in a transparent process’
Status of Good Goveranance-2007 report was also launched at this ceremony. Mr. Rushana Nanayakkara, Deputy Executive Director of TISL explained ‘This is the first time TISL has come up with this kind of status report and this will continue in the future annually’. This report highlights the good governance issues particularly relating to 2007.
To mark the World Anti-Corruption Day, TISL also hosted a special programme with a special focus on children. The objective was to sensitize adults as well as children- ‘the future adults-on issues relating to corruption and, also to learn from them how they could preserve their own identity as ‘honorable Sri Lankan citizens’ with integrity, which can influence adults in the country. The programme was facilitated by Dr.Charika Marasinghe; Director Child Rights International Guaranteed Limited. 53 Children from five provinces representing 750 of their colleagues raised the voices of integrity. Their ideas were brought to the attention of adults as well as responsible authorities with the presentation of their proposals to build nation with integrity.
Both the ceremonies attended by a large gathering of diverse backgrounds. They represented Public Sector, Corporate Sector, Media, Community Based Organizations, NGOs, Trade Unions and Clergy etc.
Participants of the evening session took the National Integrity Oath at the end of the ceremony. The ‘National Integrity Oath’ was formulated based entries submitted for National Integrity Oath competition to mark this year’s UN International Anti-corruption day.
Click here for the oath in english
Click here for the oath in sinhala
Click here for the oath in tamil
Notes to Editors:
Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) is the National Chapter of Transparency International (TI), the leading global movement against corruption. TISL is one of over 90 in Transparency International Global Network fighting the menace of corruption.
Transparency International, the global civil society organisation leading the fight against corruption, bringing people together in a powerful worldwide coalition to end the devastating impact of corruption on men, women and children around the world.
TI’s mission is to create change towards a world free of corruption.
More information on TISL available at https://www.tisrilanka.org