The delegation which is on a Scoping Mission with Sri Lanka Customs held discussions with the Secretary to the President on the measures implemented by the Presidential Secretariat to promote integrity, strengthen good governance, and advance anti-corruption efforts within the public sector.
Addressing the delegation, Dr Kumanayake emphasized the vital role of Internal Affairs Units (IAUs) in building an ethical, accountable and corruption-free public service in line with the government’s top priority of corruption prevention. He further noted that a dedicated division in the Presidential Secretariat is actively leading efforts to establish IAUs, build capacity of officers and introduce a robust digital system designed to streamline and facilitate the day-to-day operations of IAUs.
The WCO delegates were given a broad overview of the initiatives led by the Presidential Secretariat to establish IAUs across the public sector to institutionalize a corruption-free culture within institutions and among public officers. To date, 360 IAUs have been established in public institutions, including all Line Ministries, Chief Secretariats, Departments, District Secretariats and key SOEs. Plans are underway to introduce IAUs to remaining public institutions during this year, and this will include all Divisional Secretariats among others.
Officers appointed to IAUs are provided training on anti-corruption laws and procedures, preparation of corruption risk assessments and mitigation planning, and other preventive measures as part of the IAU training coordinated by the Presidential Secretariat.
The Presidential Secretariat has also designed and developed a comprehensive digital platform to strengthen the Government’s efforts to combat corruption and promote public sector integrity. This platform enables all established IAUs to independently manage a range of operations including complaints management, Action Plan reporting and monitoring, meeting coordination, training management and data analysis. By connecting data from IAUs country-wide, the platform facilitates the Presidential Secretariat to generate insights on anti-corruption initiatives, trends, and compliance with public sector anti-corruption standards.
The Head of the World Customs Organization Delegation Ms Hampton praised the initiatives undertaken by the Presidential Secretariat to advance the objectives of the IAUs.
She noted that the IAU Digital Complaint Management System offers a valuable opportunity for Sri Lanka Customs to strengthen its internal control mechanisms and anti-corruption capacities. She also highlighted how the data generated by the digital system can support the identification and mitigation of corruption and integrity risks within customs administration, thereby contributing to more effective customs operations.
The discussion included an exchange of views on best practices aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and integrity promotion in public institutions.
Ms Hampton was accompanied by Mr Pascal Thomas and Mr Boudewijn Groenveld of the World Customs Organization. Ms Chandima Wickramasinghe, Additional Secretary to the President with Ms Chanaki H. Ranatunga, Mr Dhanushka Perera and Mr T N Ammon, Senior Assistant Secretaries to the President participated and contributed to the discussion.
