Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) Executive Director, S, Ranugge appealed to the trade unions to work together to initiate the Right to Information (RTI) laws in Sri Lanka.
“Right to Information would empower trade unions to gain access to facts, figures and information. Armed with accurate information, trade unions can work towards eradicating corruption,” he pointed out.
He was delivering the keynote address at a workshop organaised by TISL for trade union leaders to enhance their knowledge on corruption and anti- corruption initiatives. The two day workshop held in Dons Lake Resort in Puwakpitiya Awissawella, was attended by 27 trade union leaders.
Mr Ranugge said that all trade unions should develop a method or an action plan to work together towards eradicating corruption and promote values of good governance.
“One of the main reasons of corruption in the public sector is due to the fact that the officials are not getting a decent salary. If they are paid a decent salary, they are less likely to engage in corruption. Therefore, trade unions should work towards obtaining decent salaries’ he added.
He emphasised the need for a system where whistleblowers are protected by law.
Former Deputy Secretary General of CIABOC, A.K.Chandrakantha, and trainer at SLIDA, M. Jayasundara were the main resource persons at the workshop. Ananda Jayasekara, Shantha Kulathunga and Shan Wijethunge of TISL also conducted sessions.