Ministry to mark Anti-Corruption Day

Shirley WIJESINGHE

The Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs will mark International Anti-Corruption Day which falls on December, 09 under the theme 'Let's protect citizens' rights for quality public service'.

Addressing a Media conference Minister of Public Administration Karu Jayasuriya said that main objective of the theme is to make the public aware about the 'Citizens' Charter', educate citizens on their rights and obligations, urge the public to receive services without resorting to corrupt practices and making society with free of corruptions. To realise the objectives of the International Anti-Corruption Day the Ministry has organized several programs including a School Poster Competition, and Poster Exhibition on December 09, Minister Jayasuriya said.

Ministry has also decided to hold 14,000 meetings to educate the community with relevant stakeholders at Grama Niladari Divisions level,circulating selected posters for public awareness and conducting awareness programmes at district level.

Jayasuriya said all Divisional Secretaries have been requested to direct Grama Niladaris to organise meetings in their respective divisions to educate the community on the Citizens Charter initiatives, peoples rights, prevention of waste, bribery and corruption in the public sector and highlighting the importance their participation and contribution for improving a quality of public service.

He said the Government service has been transformed today into a public friendly service with the introduction of 'Citizen Charter' and the process had been successfully implemented to cut down on bribery and corruption in the public service.

Sponsors with the Ministry to commemorate the International Anti-Corruption programs Day will be Commission to Investigate Bribery and Corruption, Transparency International of Sri Lanka, Clean Hands Movement, and Lake House.