The Government of the Republic of Korea, together with the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission of Korea, the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sri Lanka, has launched the findings of the Anti-Corruption Initiative Assessment (AIA) aimed at supporting Sri Lanka’s broader anti-corruption reform agenda.

The launch took place on Friday at BMICH.

The programme, valued at US$100,000, was implemented as a pilot initiative under the SDG Partnership Project on Transparency and Accountability, introducing an assessment framework to public institutions to evaluate integrity practices, identify risk areas and explore corrective measures.

Speaking at the event, Korean Ambassador to Sri Lanka Miyon Lee said anti-corruption efforts should be viewed as a whole-of-government responsibility supported by systems that strengthen integrity, reduce discretionary power and incentivise improved performance.

She noted that South Korea’s integrity assessment model is conducted annually across hundreds of public institutions, including government agencies, local authorities, educational and medical institutions, public corporations and local councils. The 2024 exercise covered 716 institutions, drawing responses from around 300,000 stakeholders, including citizens and public officials.

Ambassador Lee highlighted key governance areas such as licensing, procurement, taxation, customs and regulatory approvals as critical sectors where integrity assessments can reduce uncertainty and build investor confidence.

She expressed hope that Sri Lanka would build on the pilot initiative by developing locally tailored assessment tools to strengthen transparency, accountability and governance as part of ongoing reforms aimed at attracting investment and modernising the public sector.

A Sri Lankan audio drama script has won international recognition at the BBC International Audio Drama Competition 2026, with There is Something I am Feeling receiving the Georgi Markov Award commendation as the first runner-up.

The script was written by a trio of Sri Lankan writers—Rukshani Weerasooriya Wijemanne, Rushika Weerasooriya Heinle and Rajeev Colton—and is based on a true story surrounding the death of a young boy, narrated through the perspectives of his sister and other family members.

The competition, organised by the BBC World Service and the British Council, provides writers from outside the United Kingdom with an opportunity to tell stories for a global audience through the medium of audio drama.

Set in Mount Lavinia during the politically turbulent year of 1989, the award-winning drama explores the impact of personal tragedy against a backdrop of civil unrest and uncertainty. The story centres on 11-year-old Rushika, whose family is shattered by a sudden loss that changes their lives forever.

Through the voices of Rushika, her parents and younger sister, the drama examines grief, memory and resilience, while highlighting how personal suffering is intertwined with broader social and political upheaval.According to the British Council, the work offers a poignant reflection on family bonds, childhood and the enduring strength of human connection in times of crisis.

Lankan-Canadian field hockey star Malinda Hapuarachchi has been inducted into the University of Toronto Sports Hall of Fame, in recognition of a distinguished career spanning school, university, national and international competition.

Hapuarachchi will be formally honoured on June 4, 2026, at the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport, joining an elite group of athletes who have made a lasting impact on university sport in Canada.

A product of Cairine Wilson Secondary School in Orleans, Ottawa, Hapuarachchi emerged early as a multi-sport talent, excelling in athletics and touch football before establishing herself in field hockey. She represented Team Ontario at the 2001 Canada Summer Games, where she helped secure a silver medal.

At the University of Toronto, she rose to prominence as a key figure in the Varsity Blues field hockey programme, serving as captain from 2005 to 2007. During her university career, she earned multiple honours including CIS All-Canadian selection, OUA Player of the Year awards in 2005 and 2006, and the CIS Outstanding Contributor Award.

Hapuarachchi also represented Canada at multiple international tournaments, including the Indoor Hockey World Cups in Vienna and Leipzig, as well as Pan American Championships and North American test series, later serving as team captain.

Beyond her playing career, she contributed significantly as a coach, guiding the Varsity Blues to multiple OUA titles and continuing to mentor the next generation of athletes.

The University of Toronto said her induction recognises not only her sporting achievements but also her leadership, sportsmanship and long-standing contribution to the game.

by SK Samaranayake ✍️