Celebrating COVID heroes: TISL launches Integrity Icon Sri Lanka 2021

Transparency International Sri Lanka Executive Director Nadishani Perera

Building on the success of Integrity Icon 2020 and drawing from past experiences, Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) yesterday announced that nominations were now being accepted for Integrity Icon Sri Lanka 2021 to ‘name and fame’ honest public officials battling on the frontlines of the pandemic.  

TISL said over the past one-and-a-half years COVID-19 has tested the strength of public institutions in countries all over the world. Most public officials are at the forefront against the global battle against this pandemic. In Sri Lanka, public officers working in the frontline have persevered in their service despite many challenges. “It is now our turn as citizens, to recognise and celebrate their honesty, integrity and dedication in the face of COVID-19,” TISL said. 

Integrity Icon Sri Lanka 2021 marks a significant shift from the previous years. Acknowledging the vastly different circumstances we now live in due to the global pandemic, this year’s special edition of IISL will be dedicated to celebrating COVID-19 frontline workers.

Under the theme of ‘COVID Heroes,’ Integrity Icon Sri Lanka 2021 seeks to champion public sector officials who serve with integrity and honesty, who go above and beyond the call of duty and make sacrifices in order to manage the pandemic.   

Conceptualised by the Accountability Lab – a global organisation that seeks to support change-makers to develop and implement positive ideas for integrity in their communities – Integrity Icon was held in Sri Lanka in 2018, 2019 and 2020 under the theme ‘Honouring Honesty’.

Globally, the Integrity Icon campaign is being held this year in Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa and Mexico amongst other nations. The Integrity Icon campaign seeks to recognise public officials who carry out their duty with integrity, standing up against corruption, notwithstanding external and internal pressures.   

A unique feature of the Integrity Icon award is the element of public participation, where the citizens are called upon to nominate public officials whom they see as deserving of the title. Nominations for Integrity Icon Sri Lanka 2021 can be submitted until 6 September. The Integrity Icon handbook and nomination forms can be downloaded from the official website www.integrityicon.lk or by contacting 0711 295 295, 0763223442 or [email protected].  

This year’s esteemed panel of five judges comprises SANASA International Managing Director Samadanie Kiriwandeniya, former Local Government (Western Province) Deputy Commissioner Dharmasiri Nanayakkara, Center for Investigative Reporting Executive Director Dilrukshi Handunnetti, Ministry of Education former Additional Secretary S. Thillanadarajah and National Hospital of Sri Lanka former Deputy Director General (Medical Services) and former Director Dr. S. Terrence G.R. de Silva.

Once nominations are closed, the judges will begin the task of reviewing the applications and conducting interviews to select the top five integrity icons. The campaign will culminate in the grand finale to be held in December.

TISL would like to note that in response to the feedback received from the citizens and participants in the previous years, this year’s Integrity Icon program process has been changed to eliminate the public vote to choose the People’s Choice award winner from among the top five finalists. TISL has also changed the process to eliminate the mandatory approvals that the selected icons need to obtain from their respective authorities   

Public officials working in the frontline against COVID-19 and are permanent employees of the State with more than five years of experience and at least five years of service left until retirement can apply or be nominated for Integrity Icon Sri Lanka 2021.   

TISL called on the general public to nominate COVID heroes, who are risking their lives and serving the nation in order to save our lives during this pandemic as the Integrity Icons of 2021.