Participants from the Northern Province at a ‘whistle blower- training workshop held recently expressed their willingness to be involved with TISL in anti-corruption activities.
This was the first anti-corruption training conducted for youth and women in the Northern region after 30 years of civil war.
The ‘Shelter for Integrity’, TISL’s Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre conducted the two-day workshop for youth and leaders of civil society organizations in the North at CeyBank Rest in Anuradapura on 06th & 07th July 2013.
Participants representing all districts of the Northern Province whowere employees of either the public or the private sector as well as undergraduates of the Jaffna University attended the workshop.
Chairman of Mannar Pradeshiya Saba and Mannar Citizen Committee member – Santhia Martin Dias said it was first time that they had undergone training in whistle blowing.
“As corruption fighters, we are very interested on the role of the whistleblower. We have realized that we have a duty by the citizens to act as whistleblowers” he said.
He suggested that the name of the citizens’ committee should be changed to ‘Whistle blower Committee.
Having listened to the difficulties and dangers they may have to face when acting as whistleblowers, the participants said they were still keen to act as whistle blowers against corruption. They identified a list of activities where they can involve themselves in the forthcoming Northern Provincial Council election as whistle blowers.
Human Rights trainer Senaka Dissanayake, former Deputy Director-General – Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) – K.Chandrakantha, Attorney at Law – Neranchan, ‘Shelter for Integrity manager’ – D.M.Dissanayake– Attorney at Law and Legal Consultant of PAFFEREL-K.Thayabaran , Attorney at law and lecturer at Open University Batticaloa – F X S Vijayakumar- conducted the sessions at the workshop.