C R L International

C R L activities have received publicity through the press and the radio. On 14th December 2007 the Daily Mirror carried as a sub editorial titled “Role of children in anti-corruption campaign” an encouraging account of the integrity programme facilitated by C R L founder director Dr Charika Marasinghe.

“Role of children in anti-corruption campaign”

(Sub-editorial of Daily Mirror)

It is commendable that the Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has marked the World Anti-Corruption Day with a special programme focusing attention on the role of children in the campaign against corruption. Director of Child Rights International Guarantee Limited Dr Charika Marasinghe, according to TISL, has facilitated the programme.

The object of the programme as indicated by TISL has been to educate adults as well children, the future adults, on issues relating to corruption and to teach them how they could preserve their own identity as honourable Sri Lankan citizens with integrity. At the commemorative meeting held at BMICH, it is reported that 53 Children from five provinces, representing 750 of their colleagues, raised the voices of integrity. These ideas and their proposals to build a nation of honest citizens need to be brought to the attention of adults as well as responsible authorities.

It is noteworthy that the status of the good governance report highlighting good governance issues relating to 2007 has also been launched at the meeting. Deputy Executive Director TISL, Rukshana Nanayakkara, has said, “This is the first time TISL has come up with this kind of status report and this will continue annually.”

The level of corruption that this country has reached today shows that its complete eradication is a challenging task. There is hardly any sphere of activity or category of people in this country that has escaped the fast spreading cancer of corruption. The present generation of politicians and other adults is so immersed in corruption that their condition seems irremediable. The extent to which the adults indulge in acts of dishonesty and corruption do not give them the moral right to advise their children on honesty.

Paradoxically enough it has fallen to the lot of children to guide the adults on the path of moral rectitude. The present effort to spread awareness among children of the importance of honest conduct enkindles hopes for the corruption-free society in this country.

To read the full report of the pilot project click here