In line with the Government’s programme to build a clean, transparent and corruption-free public service, a workshop to brief heads of 250 state institutions that have been instructed to establish Internal Affairs Units was held on Thursday  (29) at the auditorium of the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, under the patronage of Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

As the first phase of this programme, Internal Affairs Units were previously established in 106 state institutions and the relevant officers were trained accordingly. As part of the second phase, instructions have been issued to establish Internal Affairs Units in an additional 250 state institutions. Accordingly, this workshop was organised by Presidential Secretariat, with the assistance of the Clean Sri Lanka Programme.

Although Sri Lanka continues to maintain relatively high rankings in sectors such as education and healthcare, Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake noted that the country is ranked 121st in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, a position that could adversely affect its overall standing in other key sectors.

Addressing the gathering, the Secretary to the President stated that while the primary slogan of the recent public uprising was against the corrupt politics, the allegations were directed not only at corrupt politicians but also at corrupt public officials. He emphasised that the public uprising occurred at a time when the country had become economically bankrupt and its adverse consequences were being directly felt by the people.

He further observed that such public uprisings are not sudden events, but rather the culmination of a prolonged and systematic process, driven by public frustration and the erosion of trust in governance.

Further addressing the workshop, Secretary to the President emphasised that public uprisings should not be underestimated, noting that they represent a powerful expression of public will.

He stated that it is essential for public officials, as well as politicians, to have a clear understanding of public aspirations and public sentiment. As public servants, he stressed, there is an obligation to deliver a clean, transparent and accountable public service to the people.

Accordingly, he explained that a structured programme has been initiated to strengthen the integrity of public service delivery. The establishment of Internal Affairs Units forms a key component of this initiative, aimed at ensuring greater transparency and accountability within state institutions.

Dr. Kumanayake further noted that public officials must remain mindful of upholding ethical standards while performing their duties, as strengthening individual integrity can contribute to transforming the broader culture of corruption within the public sector.

He highlighted that Internal Affairs Units can be viewed both as a mechanism for fostering a culture of integrity within the public service and as a platform that enables the public to raise concerns regarding the conduct of public officials, thereby strengthening accountability and public trust.

At the event, Additional Secretary to the President, Ms. Chandima Wickramasinghe and Senior Lecturer at the University of Kelaniya,  Tharindu Dhananjaya Weerasinghe delivered keynote presentations.