US launches anti-corruption training for Government officials

COLOMBO:The United States announced yesterday that it was funding a training programme for Sri Lankan Government officials and civil society directors to strengthen measures to combat corruption and monitor the spending of tsunami-related assistance, states a US Embassy press release.

It said: The programme will involve building capacity, increasing citizen participation in monitoring and reporting on tsunami programme, and conducting an awareness campaign to combat corruption. It will also provide technical support to Sri Lankan organisations to ensure accountability and transparency of post-tsunami relief and reconstruction programming.

Supported by special post-tsunami funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Sri Lanka Anti-corruption Programme opened officially yesterday at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall at a ceremony attended by USAID Mission Director Dr. Carol Becker, Sri Lanka Auditor General S. C. Mayadunne and Justice Ameer Ismail, Chairman of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery on Corruption.

"Anti-corruption programmes require a multi-faceted strategy to combat corruption effectively," Dr. Becker said at the launch. "Strengthening the capacity of the local institutions enhances their public credibility, and helps them improve the quality and efficiency of their activities as well as their responsiveness to public complaints."

The programme encourages investigation and prosecution of wrongdoers, and promotes efforts to prevent corruption through the institution of internal controls; timely financial auditing of projects and programmes; performance evaluation of project and programme effectiveness; greater public participation in project oversight and performance review; and creation of a transparent culture of honesty, integrity and accountability in public administration. These strategies are expected to achieve meaningful result and establish trust and faith in the institutions of Government.

The project will run until September 2007. Core partners include the Auditor-General's Department and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption.