Dec 09, Colombo: The anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) today announced that it is accepting nominations for Integrity Icon Sri Lanka (IISL) 2022/23 program that rewards honest public officials for the fifth consecutive year.

The TISL has been spearheading the campaign and awards program to ‘name and fame’ honest public officials in Sri Lanka’s public service who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, working in the public interest, sometimes at great personal cost.

The Integrity Icon Awards program conceptualized by Accountability Lab – a global organization that seeks to support change-makers to develop and implement positive ideas for integrity in their communities – has been held annually in Sri Lanka since 2018 to great public acclaim.

The Integrity Icon campaign seeks to recognize and encourage public officials who carry out their duty with integrity, standing up against corruption, withstanding external and internal pressures.

Last year, Integrity Icon Sri Lanka was carried out as a special edition, recognizing COVID-19 frontline workers, under the theme “COVID Heroes”. This year, the program is open to all in the public service sector of the country.

While any deserving public official may nominate themselves for the award, a unique feature of Integrity Icon is the element of public participation, where citizens too can nominate public officials who uphold the values of honesty and integrity, according to TISL.

Nominations for Integrity Icon Sri Lanka 2022/23 can be submitted until 31st January 2023. 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 icon@tisrilanka.org.

Once nominations are closed, an independent panel of judges will review all qualifying applications and conduct interviews to select the top ten finalists.

The campaign will culminate in a grand finale in June 2023, where five individuals will be selected as ‘Integrity Icons’ for 2022/23.

All permanent employees who are working in the public service sector with over 5 years of experience, with at least 5 years of service left until retirement, are eligible to apply or be nominated for Integrity Icon.

TISL invites public officials and encourages citizens to help change the tide on corruption in Sri Lanka by nominating for IISL 2022/23, public officials who embody integrity and dedication, thereby making the public service a service of the people.