May 21, Colombo (LNW): In a move aligned with the national agenda to promote integrity in public institutions, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence has introduced a dedicated unit tasked with enhancing internal oversight and addressing shortcomings in public service provision.
The newly formed Internal Affairs Unit (IAU), now operational at the Ministry’s premises, is expected to play a pivotal role in bolstering institutional transparency and confronting entrenched inefficiencies.
This initiative follows a directive issued through a circular from the Presidential Secretariat and forms part of the broader 2025–2029 National Anti-Corruption Framework initiated by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The IAU is designed to function as a preventative and investigative mechanism, focusing not only on addressing public complaints but also on conducting internal reviews and identifying vulnerabilities in administrative processes.
According to Ministry sources, the unit will actively monitor service delivery standards and highlight systemic weaknesses that may contribute to corruption or procedural lapses.
It is mandated to submit comprehensive annual reports to both the Presidential Secretariat and the national anti-bribery commission, ensuring a consistent review of its progress and findings.
At the official launch, Retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuiyacontha, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, underlined the shared duty of public servants in maintaining institutional integrity. He stated that accountability must not be confined to enforcement bodies alone but should be reflected in the everyday operations of government departments.
He further remarked that the introduction of such internal oversight mechanisms marks a shift in governance strategy—one that seeks to embed ethical discipline within the core of public administration, rather than relying solely on punitive after-the-fact interventions.
Mrs Priyangani Hewarathna, who has been appointed to lead the Internal Affairs Unit, presented the framework and functions of the division to Ministry officials during the inaugural briefing. Her address outlined plans for a collaborative approach in evaluating risks, responding to public grievances, and supporting internal capacity-building efforts.
The occasion drew the participation of several senior figures, including the Chief of National Intelligence, the Director General of Planning (Disaster Management), and various additional secretaries and departmental heads within the Defence Ministry. Attendees reportedly expressed optimism about the potential of the unit to reinforce the credibility of the Ministry’s operations and reduce inefficiency and misconduct.
