Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) will soon launch a radio programme with UVA Community Radio to educate the rural masses on corruption taking place in their villages and arm them with preventive measures.
The format of the radio programme, its features and air times were discussed and decided at a workshop held in Bandarawela on 13th March 2012.
The staff members of the UVA Community Radio and leaders of the Community Based Organizations (CBO) in Badulla and Rideemaliyadda participated in the workshop.
The workshop held at the Uva community radio premises was the first of its kind where media personnel and CBO leaders from Badulla District received training on corruption and the services offered by the local government institutions. The programme included presentations on bribery, nepotism, embezzlement and other forms of corruption, and challenges of anti-corruption.
Making the presentations were TISL’s Shan Wijethunga, Ananda Jayasekera and Nauli Wimalarathna Former Secretary to the Post and Telecommunication Ministry, Piyasena Ranasinghe made a presentation highlighting local governance.
The workshop also discussed challenges faced by the provincial journalists in writing anti-corruption news stories.
Agreement was reached on the format of the radio programme and the participants, specially the CBO leaders requested TISL to conduct a cartoon and essay competition on corruption in Badulla District.