WCO integrity delegation meets Presidential Secretary to discuss IAUs, anti-corruption systems, and public sector accountability reforms.
The WCO integrity delegation has met Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake to discuss anti-corruption reforms and public sector accountability measures in Sri Lanka.
A three-member delegation from the World Customs Organization Integrity Technical Sub-Committee, headed by Ms. Andrea Hampton, Integrity Lead and A-CIP Programme Manager, met Dr. Kumanayake on June 2 at the Presidential Secretariat.
The delegation is currently on a Scoping Mission with Sri Lanka Customs.
During the meeting, discussions focused on 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 in building an ethical, accountable, and corruption-free public service.
He said this aligned with the government’s top priority of preventing corruption.
He further noted that a dedicated division within the Presidential Secretariat is actively leading efforts to establish Internal Affairs Units, build the capacity of officers, and introduce a strong digital system to streamline their day-to-day operations.
The WCO delegates were given a broad overview of the initiatives led by the Presidential Secretariat to establish IAUs across the public sector.
These units are intended to institutionalize a corruption-free culture within public institutions and among public officers.
So far, 360 Internal Affairs Units have been established in public institutions.
These include all Line Ministries, Chief Secretariats, Departments, District Secretariats, and key State-Owned Enterprises.
Plans are also underway to introduce IAUs to the remaining public institutions during this year.
This next phase will include all Divisional Secretariats, among other institutions.
Officers appointed to IAUs are being provided training on anti-corruption laws and procedures.
They are also trained in preparing corruption risk assessments, 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 allows all established IAUs to independently manage several operations.
These include complaints management, action plan reporting and monitoring, meeting coordination, training management, and data analysis.
By connecting data from IAUs across the country, the platform enables the Presidential Secretariat to generate insights on anti-corruption initiatives, emerging trends, and compliance with public sector anti-corruption standards.
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 that data generated through the digital system could support the identification and mitigation of corruption and integrity risks within customs administration.
According to Ms. Hampton, this could contribute to more effective customs operations.
The discussion also included an exchange of views on best practices aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and integrity promotion across public institutions.
Ms. Hampton was accompanied by Mr. Pascal Thomas and Mr. Boudewijn Groenveld of the World Customs Organization.
Additional Secretary to the President Ms. Chandima Wickramasinghe also participated in the discussion, together with Senior Assistant Secretaries to the President Ms. Chanaki H. Ranatunga, Mr. Dhanushka Perera, and Mr. T. N. Ammon.
