"Clean Hands": Change culture of corruption

- Secretary to President
[Friday, March 23, 2007 - 10.55 GMT]     

The private sector of Sri Lanka was also responsible for the prevalence of corruption in the State sector and it can only be curbed if the prevailing culture that encourages corruption in both sectors of the economy was transformed, said Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President, addressing the inaugural meeting of "Clean Hands", a State sector initiative against corruption, earlier this week.

Mr. Weeratunga conceded that the reputation of the public sector had been tarnished due to corruption, and noted that the best in the land did not want to join the public sector, not only because of lower salaries, but more because of its corruption.
 

He added it was unfortunate that the corruption of a few unscrupulous individuals who circumvented the rules had brought the entire public service to disrepute, when 90% of the public service was clean.

Noting that civil servants were the guardians of public property, and as such they had a right to safeguard the property that belongs to the citizens, while carrying out their services in a clean, honest, diligent and caring manner.

Mr. Weeratunga said the private sector was also to blame for corruption in State institutions, and there was a need to change this trend together, and saw the benefits of whistle blowers who can alert the Government and the citizenry to the corruption in both sectors of the economy.

Mr. D. Dissanayake, Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs said waste and corruption could be seen as worse than terrorism, and
that although only a few in the public service were responsible for waste and corruption, the blame fell on the entire service.

"Clean Hands" is an Alliance of Sri Lankan Public Sector officers working to fight corruption, prevent waste and improve standards of service in the public service in Sri Lanka.

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Last Updated Date: March 23, 2007 - 10.55 GMT