Sri Lanka commenced National Integrity Week on July 27, a five-day national initiative aimed at fostering a culture of integrity and transparency across the public service. The programme, running through July 31 and extending to December 2026, includes daily thematic activities, public complaint mechanisms, and a…

Sri Lanka officially launched National Integrity Week on July 27 under the theme "A Culture of Integrity – A Clean Sri Lanka," with ceremonies held simultaneously across government institutions nationwide. The initiative, jointly implemented by the Presidential Secretariat and the Clean Sri Lanka Programme, began at 9:00 a.m. with the administration of the National Integrity Pledge and introduction of a Code of Ethics in all government institutions. The week runs through July 31, with daily activities focused on different integrity dimensions: institutional integrity, financial and technological integrity, spiritual and cultural integrity, operational and service delivery integrity, and environmental and resource management integrity.

Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake emphasized that integrity extends beyond preventing corruption and bribery. According to his remarks, integrity reflects a person's commitment to ethical conduct even without external supervision, and public officials' integrity can be compromised not only through corrupt activities but also by failing to execute duties responsibly and efficiently. The initiative aims to strengthen existing ethical values within the public service rather than treat officials as inherently corrupt, building a governance system grounded in accountability and self-discipline.

The practical implementation includes establishing Internal Affairs Units within approximately 350 public institutions to receive public complaints regarding corruption, misconduct, and administrative shortcomings. Members of the public can submit complaints through multiple channels including QR codes, email, postal services, telephone, and web-based platforms. A dedicated digital monitoring system overseen by the Presidential Secretariat will track institutional responses to complaints. The Foreign Ministry noted that over 130 participants, including Sri Lankan missions overseas, participated in the launch ceremony.

While National Integrity Week concludes on July 31, the programme will continue across all government and semi-government institutions until December 31, 2026, signalling a long-term commitment to cultural transformation. Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri highlighted that Sri Lanka has improved its Corruption Perceptions Index ranking, moving ahead of 14 countries globally. However, the government's anti-corruption drive faces credibility challenges, as noted in earlier reporting about a multi-billion-rupee coal procurement scandal at the Lakvijaya Power Plant that prompted the resignation of the Energy Minister.