Opening ‘Suseri Sevana’ – TISL’s ‘Shelter for Integrity’ in Matara, Government Agent Mrs. K.K.Athukorala appealed to the government officials in the Southern region to give their fullest cooperation and see that the project is a success.
Mrs. Athukorala welcomed the opening of the Centre as a vital step in eradicating corruption in the region. “People are coming before us with corruption related complaints. Now we can direct them to the Centre” she said.
Suseri Sevana – a yet another initiative of TISL in its mission to build a nation of integrity, is housed at no.17 Kalidasa Mawatha in Matara and operates a hotline – (041) 2233522 – to enable the public to easily communicate with it. The Centre will provide the public with the opportunity of seeking legal advice free of charge when faced with an incident of corruption while obtaining a service from a State institution. It will mediate between the State institution and the complainant in order to find lasting solutions to the grievances of the public and strengthen the governance and service delivery of State institutions.
TISL believes that the Centre will empower citizens to make and pursue corruption-related complaints and bring about a change in their attitude towards corruption and realize that corruption is not insurmountable. It will also be able to support State institutions through evidence, solutions and capacity building their own initiatives to eliminate corruption and enhance principles of good governance.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Deshabandu Tennakoon and several other government officials along with representatives from various organaisations participated at the opening ceremony on Tueday 12 February.
Representing TISL were Executive Director, S. Ranugge, ‘Shelter for Integrity’ Coordinator D.M. Dissanayaka, Legal Officer Jagath Liyanarachchi and Brand Manager Haritha Dahanayaka.