The global anti-corruption body, Transparency International has said that they are inquiring into the various problems at it’s Sri Lankan Chapter (TISL).
In a tweet, Transparency International said that they are taking the issues ‘seriously’ and are looking into this. They made this statement in response to a question posted by Rohan Jayasekera, an English journalist and former associate editor of the London magazine Index on Censorship who requested TI for a statement, on how the organization was addressing the current problems at its Sri Lanka chapter.
In response, TI said, “Thanks for reaching out. We take these issues seriously and are looking into this.”
In the recent past, the Sri Lankan Chapter of Transparency International has been engulfed in various conflicts in terms of lack of transparency, which goes against the organisation’s ideology and also the core it is built on.
The Colombo Telegraph has disclosed various issues from conflict of interest to even penalization of whistleblowers in the recent past at TISL.
In 2015 it was revealed that J. C. Weliamuna, the former Chairman and Executive Director of Transparency International was paid by the government to carry out an inquiry on the corruption at the SriLankan airlines, which occurred during the term of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
It was reported that a team, including Weliamuna and two others were paid Rs. 3.5 million including all costs for a six week long investigation. Even though the Colombo Telegraph requested for a breakdown of the payment, Weliamuna refused to provide it.
In another case, in December last year, TISL awarded the ‘Integrity Award’ to the chairman of the ‘Ravaya’ newspaper, Victor Ivan. The fact that Ivan was accused of swindling contributors to the Ravaya fund regarding which there is a complaint being looked into by the Registrar of Companies and the Fraud Bureau shows the mockery of TISL’s decision. Despite repeated queries on what basis the TISL chose Ivan, the local chapter refused to respond to questions posted by the Colombo Telegraph.
In another issue, TISL has penalized several whistleblowers and even going to the extent of not renewing the contract of one such whistleblower, Ananda Jayasekara.
Jayasekara, Shan Wijetunge and Jagth Liyana Arachchi submitted a petition recently to TISL Chairperson alleging corruption (abuse of power, nepotism, favoritism and improper recruitment) by high ranking officials at the local chapter. They had also requested for an independent investigation. The whistleblowers alleged that TISL is not transparent and violates principles of good governance. Jayasekara, had worked for TISL for ten years continuously although under several contracts renewed periodically.
S. Ranugge, former Executive Director of the TISL had openly questioned the integrity of TISL’s Board of Directors, accusing them of ‘illegal, irrational and unethical’ actions and decisions with respect to the termination of his (Ranugge’s) fixed term contract and the recruitment of the new Executive Director. Ranugge has furthermore alleged that members of the Board have been engaged in politics for personal gain and to reward friends with positions in the staff.
Related posts:
Former Executive Director Ranugge Questions TISL’s ‘Transparency
Transparency International Silent On Public Interest Questions Related To Award Given To Victor Ivan
Vimukthi J’s Late Disclosures Tarnishes TISL’s Integrity Award Further
JC Weliamuna Confirms He Appeared For Lasantha Wickrematunge’s Murder Suspect
Sri Lankan Airlines: Weliamuna Inquiry Costs Rs 3.5 Million
Sri Lankan Airlines Probe: Weliamuna Yet To Disclose Fee Breakdown
Absolute Conflict Of Interest: Maithri’s Investigator Weliamuna Must Go
Wiliamuna Controversy: Jayaratne Sees Nothing Wrong
Weliamuna Inquiry Costs Three Supreme Court Judges’ Combined Annual Salaries
Weliamuna Controversy: Now Chandra Jayaratne Goes Silent
Weliamuna Out Of Order: Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri
Downhearted / August 19, 2016
I read an article on travel and the part that stuck me most was what the writers personal experience in Srilanka was: a man offered to buy the shirt he was wearing. Ceylonese (Srilankans), he said “can steal the trousers you are wearing without you knowing it while you are wearing it”, fits TISL right within the Frame. You cannot fool all of the people all of the time.
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Jurisprudence / August 19, 2016
Way to go, Rohan J!
Hopefully there will be a proper investigation into TISL resulting in a cleanup if it is found that there has been gross negligence and impunity on the part of TISL.
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Rupa / August 19, 2016
This is a great news! Thank you headquarters !
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LEN / August 20, 2016
Nothing will happen one thing TI will not admit to is among their lot some Poachers have become game keepers in their organization’s.
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Lakshan Wigetunge / August 19, 2016
One of the most corrupt NGOs in Sri Lanka. We are waiting TI!
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Corrupt Krishantha / August 19, 2016
Bunch of rouges, CT why are you wasting our time and your time? We have no faith on this Transparency International, How can they keep a government supporter, who earns money form the government, travel with the President and ministers keep him as a director of the international body?
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jim softy / August 19, 2016
3.5 Million for six weeks is highway robbery. That is while living in Sri lanka charged London, New york rates.
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Lone Wolf / August 20, 2016
Rohan Jayasekara,
Thank you.
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