TISL In Crisis: Staff Alleges Procedure Violation, Nepotism, Penalization Of Staff And Insider Dealings

August 22, 2016

The Sri Lankan Chapter of the global anti-corruption body, Transparency International (TI) appears to be battling a corruption crisis of its own with long standing staff members of the local chapter leveling serious allegations of corruption and malpractices at TI Sri Lanka (TISL).

Shan

In a letter addressed to TISL Chairman, Lakshan Dias, three staff members, Shan Wijetunge (Senior Manager, Advocacy & Public Relations), Ananda Jayasekara (Programme Manager) and Jagath Liyana Arachchi (Manager, Advocacy & Legal Advice Centre), who also identified themselves as whistleblowers brought to light a series of issues facing the local chapter, while also requesting Dias to carry out an independent and impartial inquiry without any of the Board Members of TISL being involved in such an inquiry.

According to the three whistleblowers, there has been serious corruption and malpractices carried out at TISL including; violation of procedures in recruitment, awarding of contracts without calling for quotations, removal of three senior employees by citing false information even when the funds were available, violation of organisation manual, ill treatment meted out to staff members as well as nepotism & insider dealings.

Jagath

“We appeal for your intervention and take appropriate action to conduct an impartial inquiry in to the following allegations and take preventive measures. We do have credible information to prove the allegations and willing to share them when an inquiry is being held,” they said in the letter.

Ananda Jayasekara, who has worked for TISL for ten years continuously although under several contracts renewed periodically alleged that he was victimised after whistleblowing. This is a clear violation of TISL’s own Whistleblower Protection Policy, says Jayasekara. Its whistleblower protection policy says: “TISL encourages staff members to expose any such behavior and is committed to providing whistle blower protection for such staff members. TISL will not tolerate harassment, retaliation or any type of discrimination against a whistleblower.” (Read the full policy here)

In June, former Executive Director of TISL, S. Ranugge openly questioned the integrity of TISL’s Board of Directors, accusing them of ‘illegal, irrational and unethical’ actions and decisions with respect to the termination of his (Ranugge’s) fixed term contract and the recruitment of the new Executive Director. Ranugge has furthermore alleged that members of the Board have been engaged in politics for personal gain and to reward friends with positions in the staff.

Ananda

Meanwhile, the global anti-corruption body itself announced that they were inquiring in the various issues at the Sri Lankan Chapter. In a tweet on August 18, Transparency International said, “We take these issues seriously and are looking into this.” They made this statement in response to a question posed by journalist Rohan Jayasekera who asked how TI was addressing the current problems at its Sri Lanka chapter.

We publish below the whistleblowers’ letter in full:

Mr.Lakshan Dias,
Chairman
Transparency International Sri Lanka
No.5/1,
Elibank Road,
Colombo 05

Dear Sir,

Appeal to Conduct an Impartial Inquiry in to the Corruption & Malpractices Happening in TISL

The purpose of this communique is to enlighten you on the recent and current happenings within the organization. These unhealthy developments not only have stood contrary to the vision and the mission of the organization but also have tarnished the good name acough its anti-corruption activities.

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