Justice Priyantha Perera. Chairman – Human Rights Commission (HRC) emphasized importance of HRC working closely with Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) to eradicate corruption from Sri Lanka at a workshop jointly organised by TISL and HRC on the 27th and 28th January 2014. The workshop was held at the auditorium of the HRC.
Colombo based and regional officials of the HRC were in attendance and the theme of the workshop was Relationship between Human Rights Violations and Corruption.
Delivering the keynote address at the inaugural session Justice Perera pointed out many instances of human rights violations due to corruption and fraud. He said that both organizations should work hand in hand to minimize corruption and human rights violations.
Representing TISL on behalf of its Executive Director, Shan Wijethunge Senior Manager Advocacy and outreach welcomed the initiative of the Chairman and said TISL wa keen to work with HRC. He said this partnership will go a long way towards improving governance in the country.
At the two-day workshop participants’ capacity was built on corruptions impact in the social, economic and political spheres. Among the main topics discussed was whether Sri Lankan legal framework is adequate to fight against corruption, and also its limitations. The importance of international framework against corruption, similarities of corruption and human rights and modern trends in human rights and how corruption could be interpreted as a human rights violation were among the other topics taken up.
Former Deputy Director of Bribery Commission A.K.Chandrakantha, Deputy Solicitor General Kapila Waidyarathna, Additional Secretary of HRC Nimal Punchihewa and Chairman TISL& Board Member of Transparency International J.C. Weliamuna were the resource persons at the workshop.
Dr. Prathiba Mahanahewa, Commissioner of HRC along with the other officials were present at the inauguration. Managers of the TISL’s ALAC project D.M.Dissanayake and Jagath Liyanarachchi were organised the workshop.