Internal Affairs Unit (IAU)
Email: internalaffairs@fisheriesdept.gov.lk
Location of the Department’s internal affairs: Fifth Floor of the Head Office
Composition of the Internal Affairs Unit
| Position in the IAU | Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
|
Committee member |
Mrs. Ayesha Udayanthi Pathirana |
Director, Admin Division |
|
Committee member |
Mrs. K.A.C.P. Kodithuwakku |
Assistant Director, Fisheries Development Division |
|
Committee member |
Mr. D.B. Abeyrathne |
Director, Fisheries Management Division |
|
Committee member |
Mrs. W.T.N.P. Jayasinghe |
Accountant, Supply |
|
Integrity officer |
Ms. H.P.S. Buddhini |
Assistant Director, Admin Division |
|
Committee member |
Mr. R.A.H.P.N. Ranamuka |
Management Services Officer |
|
Committee member |
Mr. W.A.R.N. Perera |
Legal Assistant |
|
Committee member |
Ms. W.S. Maduhansi |
Development Officer |
Key Objectives of the Internal Affairs Unit
- Prevent corruption in the institution and cultivate a culture of integrity.
- Ensure transparency and accountability in all activities of the institution and ensure public access to information regarding institutional practices and decisions.
- Promote ethical governance within the institution
- Develop a secure and accessible system to encourage reporting misconduct, protect whistleblowers and maintain confidentiality.
- Support legal enforcement through collaboration with law enforcement agencies and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIAВОС).
Responsibilities and functions of the Internal Affairs Unit
- Examine current procedures and circulars to identify systemic bottlenecks within the institution and simplify them to enhance operational efficiency.
- Conduct Corruption Risk Assessments (CRAs) to identify areas in the institution vulnerable to corruption and unethical conduct and take targeted preventive measures
- Develop and implement an Institutional Integrity Action Plan outlining specific anticorruption objectives and strategies tailored to the institution’s needs.
- Ensure full compliance with national anti-corruption goals by aligning institutional policies and practices with the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan.
- Conduct regular compliance reviews to assess the institution’s compliance with national and international anti-corruption laws, including the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023, and identify areas for improvement.
- Ensure compliance with Asset Declaration requirements for all public officials and employees, and manage conflicts of interest in accordance with CIABOC regulations and the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023.
- Establish a secure system to receive and manage complaints related to corruption and unethical conduct in the institution; ensure that all such complaints are promptly addressed by relevant officials or units; and provide regular feedback to the parties involved, ensuring transparency and accountability. If necessary, refer relevant facts,
findings or information to the CIABOC for investigation under the Anti-Corruption Act. - Develop and publish a Citizen’s Charter outlining services provided by the institution.
- Establish and enforce policies that promote ethical governance, including a standardized code of conduct to be adhered to by public officials.
- Implement measures, including training and awareness creation, to motivate employees to commit to anti-corruption principles.
- Act as the institutional focal point for the National Anti-Corruption Integrity Assessment, ensuring that the institution participates in and aligns with the integrity assessment processes, as guided by CIAВОС and the national anti-corruption framework.
- Maintain liaison with the CIABOC to receive ongoing guidance and support in executing
the Unit’s duties. - Produce periodic and annual reports summarizing the IAU’s activities, progress in anticorruption initiatives, challenges faced, and recommendations for further actions.
- Collaborate with private sector stakeholders to plan and implement integrity development programs
This internal circular is issued under the provisions of the Presidential Secretary’s Circular No. PS/SB/Circular/2/2025 and dated 2025.02.08.
Establishment of internal affairs units within government institutions
1. Establishment of internal affairs units
The Government’s primary focus is on creating a public service in Sri Lanka that is free from bribery and corruption by ensuring the integrity of public officials. The introduction of strong anti-corruption measures in the public sector is consistent with Sri Lanka’s obligations under Article 156 of the Constitution to implement the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and other international anti-corruption conventions. It is also aligned with the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023, the National Action Plan to Prevent Bribery and Corruption (2025–2029), and other policy objectives of the Government.
Accordingly, as a key initiative in curbing corruption in the public sector, it has been decided to establish Internal Affairs Units (IAUs) in all government ministries, departments, and institutions to foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and integrity throughout the public sector, and to ensure the effective delivery of public services to all citizens.
In line with this national requirement, the Internal Affairs Unit of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has been established with effect from 23 February 2025.
2. Main objectives of the Internal Affairs Unit
This Internal Affairs Unit is expected to achieve the following objectives:
i. Prevent corruption and foster a culture of integrity within the organization.
ii. Ensure transparency and accountability in all organizational activities and facilitate public access to information related to such activities and decisions.
iii. Promote ethical governance throughout the organization.
iv. Encourage the reporting of misconduct, ensure the protection of whistleblowers, and establish a safe and accessible mechanism to maintain confidentiality.
v. Assist in the enforcement of laws in collaboration with law enforcement agencies and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.
3. Structure and staff of the Internal Affairs Unit
The Internal Affairs Unit of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is coordinated by the following officers for the years 2025 and 2026.
| Position in the IAU | Name | Position |
|---|---|---|
|
Unit Head |
Mr. D. Wijesiriwardane |
Additional Director General |
|
Committee member |
Mrs. Ayesha Udayanthi Pathirana |
Director, Admin Division |
|
Committee member |
Mr. M. Marcus |
Director, Fisheries Development Division |
|
Committee member |
Mr. D.B. Abeyrathne |
Director, Fisheries Management Division |
|
Committee member |
Mrs. W.T.N.P. Jayasinghe |
Accountant, Supply |
|
Integrity officer |
Ms. H.P.S. Buddhini |
Assistant Director, Admin Division |
|
Committee member |
Mr. R.A.H.P.N. Ranamuka |
Management Services Officer |
|
Committee member |
Mr. W.A.R.N. Perera |
Legal Assistant |
|
Committee member |
Ms. W.S. Maduhansi |
Development Officer |
4. Responsibilities and Functions of the Internal Affairs Unit
i. Review current procedures and circulars to identify systemic bottlenecks within the organization and streamline them to enhance operational efficiency.
ii. Conduct Corruption Risk Assessments to identify areas vulnerable to corruption and unethical behavior within the organization, and implement targeted preventive measures.
iii. Develop and implement an organizational compliance action plan that includes specific anti-corruption objectives and strategies tailored to the needs of the organization.
iv. Align organizational policies and practices with the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan and ensure compliance with national anti-corruption strategies.
v. Conduct Compliance Assessments to evaluate the organization’s adherence to national and international anti-corruption laws, including the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023, and identify areas requiring improvement.
vi. Ensure compliance with asset declaration requirements for all public officials and employees, and manage conflicts of interest in accordance with the regulations of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption and the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023.
vii. Establish a secure system for receiving and managing complaints regarding corruption and unethical conduct within the organization. Ensure that all such complaints are handled promptly by the relevant officers or units, and provide regular updates to stakeholders who make inquiries, thereby ensuring transparency and accountability. Where necessary, refer relevant facts, findings, or information to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption for further investigation under the Anti-Corruption Act.
viii. Develop and publish a Citizen’s Charter describing the services provided by the organization.
ix. Formulate and enforce a standardized Code of Ethics to be adhered to by public officials, and establish policies that promote ethical governance.
x. Implement training and awareness programs to motivate staff to adhere to anti-corruption principles and promote integrity within the organization.
xi. Act as the institutional focal point for the National Anti-Corruption Integrity Assessment, ensuring that the organization participates in and aligns with the integrity assessment activities conducted by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption and the National Anti-Corruption Framework.
xii. Maintain continuous liaison with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption to obtain guidance and support in fulfilling the Unit’s duties.
xiii. Prepare periodic and annual reports summarizing the activities of the Internal Affairs Unit, progress of anti-corruption initiatives, challenges encountered, and recommendations for future actions.
xiv. Formulate and implement collaborative plans to improve compliance through the active participation of private sector stakeholders.
5. Activities expected to be carried out by the Internal Affairs Unit
The Internal Affairs Unit, comprising the committee members appointed for the years 2025 and 2026, is expected to achieve the following goals:
i. To educate all officers of the Department on the role and functions of the Internal Affairs Unit.
ii. To implement training programs to educate all officers of the Department on compliance, thereby fostering a culture of adherence to rules and regulations.
iii. To direct complaints related to the Department and its officers for the resolution of administrative issues as appropriate, or to take further action where necessary.
iv. To educate officers on the proper submission of asset and liability declarations to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, as required by law.
v. To prepare a compliance action plan to identify corruption risks within the institution and implement measures to mitigate those risks.
vi. To conduct training programs as necessary to strengthen institutional compliance and promote integrity within the Department.
6. Submitting complaints to the Internal Affairs Unit.
The Internal Affairs Unit of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is located on the 5th floor of the main office building. Complaints or suggestions to be submitted to this Unit may be handed over in person at the office.
Alternatively, complaints may be submitted through the Unit’s complaint form, via email, or by placing them in the designated complaint box.
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0112 446 183
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