A representative gathering was present at the TISL National Integrity Award (NIA)
presentation held at Mihilaka Medura – BMICH on 9 December – UN Anti-Corruption Day.
Welcoming those present, TISL Executive Director, Dr Wijaya Jayatilaka said that everyone’s
presence inspires TISL team and many thousands of others associated with the NIA program
where the untiring and challenging efforts of the people fighting corruption and or
strengthening integrity, are identified, recognized and appreciated, which he said was ” a
grave need of the hour”
Presenting an overview of the happenings during the year, he said that 2011 has been another
year of many disappointments where the leaders and those in political, economic and social
power have not lived up to people’s expectations of “goodness”.
Announcing that the Panel of Judges had unanimously decided not to present the National
Integrity Award for 2011, Dr. Selvy Thiruchandran, on behalf of the 2011 Awards Committee
said:
“The investigation process which commenced in the final weeks of October, undertaken by
investigative officers of TISL, revealed a significant element in the National Integrity
Awards which often goes unnoticed. Quite often the emphasis falls on the actions taken by
the nominees in their professional capacities, and in that process issues of personal
integrity are not looked at. While several nominees who were investigated had indeed carried
out significant and commendable actions against corruption in their spheres of influence,
several had failed the test of personal integrity.
“Taking into consideration the importance of the National Integrity Award and the quality of
integrity among the past winners, it was the unanimous decision of the awards committee.”
A video presentation highlighted the past winners of the NIA.
‘Civic responsibility in Governance’ being the theme of this year’s NIA presentation,
special guest Ms Sithara Shreen, the founder of Mannar Women’s Development Federation urged
the need for everyone to know that it isn’t realistic to expect everyone to start
challenging the policies of the state and trying to repair its broken institutions. “Perhaps
we could acknowledge this and say that everyone can at least begin by informing themselves
better about what is happening to their society and to their fellow citizens – especially
those in other regions of the country and from other classes, ethnic groups and
communities.”
Following a decision by TISL this year to recognize persons of impeccable integrity, who
inspire others as role models and have stretched the narrow confines of their professional
boundaries imaginatively and creatively to promote the cause of integrity and anti-
corruption, who invariably will not seek recognition or awards, an Award of Excellence was
presented posthumously to Justice Mark Fernando.
The Award which was handed over by the chief guest, former diplomat Jayantha Dhanapala was
received by Justice Fernando’s son, Suren. Mrs Fernando and other members of the family were
present.
The service rendered by human rights lawyer J C Weliamuna, Director of Transparency
International and former Executive Director of TISL was also recognized. He was guest of
honour at the NIA presentation.
Related Materials:
Keynote address delivered by Jayantha Dhanapala: https://www.tisrilanka.org/?p=8997
Special Speech by Sithara Shreen: https://www.tisrilanka.org/?p=9013
Wellcome Speech by Dr. Wiajaya Jayatilake : https://www.tisrilanka.org/?p=9010
Citation: J C Weliamuna: https://www.tisrilanka.org/?p=9028
Award of Excellence introduced: https://www.tisrilanka.org/?p=9036