Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) in collaboration with Clean Hands, a movement of public officials against corruption, successfully completed the exhibition titled Voice Corruption (Dushanayata Weta) followed by the first ever People’s Platform in Sri Lanka totally focused on corruption related issues, on 23rd September 2007 in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka.
Various governmental and non governmental institutions that deliver public services participated in the exhibition. On this occasion the citizens of the area had an opportunity to interact with them, paving the way to enhance public awareness on various subjects such as anti corruption, legal aid, children’s and women’s rights, social services, good governance, etc.
An interactive awareness session on “Increasing public participation in local governance” was also conducted by Mr. M.D.A. Harold, Retired Deputy Auditor General and Chairman of TISL, Mr. S.G. Punchihewa, Attorney-at-Law and Mr. J.C. Weliamuna, Executive Director of TISL.
A People’s Platform (PP) was conducted with the participation of several public officials and members of the public from the area. Mr. Piyasena Ranasinghe, Director General of Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, Mr. Nimal Bandara, Chief Secretary of North Western Province, Mrs. Jayantha Bulumulla, District Secretary of Kurunegala, and several Divisional Secretaries of the region were among the public officials present. The People’s Platform gave an opportunity for participants to discuss matters of public interest relating to corruption. The problems addressed by the public were taken into consideration by the relevant officials for follow up action, while certain systemic issues involved were also discussed.