Ceremonial Opening of the Internal Affairs Unit

Today is a remarkable day for the Department of Customs as we focus on the theme of integrity. When we discuss integrity, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of encouraging ethics and challenging corruption. Your presence here significantly strengthens our substantial efforts in this area.

I have examined the origins of the word “ethics.” Let us explore how this term relates to our work in Customs. The Greek word “ethos” is the root of the English word “ethics.” “Ethos” pertains to character, which in turn connects to traditions and customs. Thus, there is a meaningful relationship between the concepts of ethics and Customs.

It has long been a question in my mind how we can effectively maintain this relationship between ethics and Customs.

I previously worked in Customs for three years and have been serving as the Director General of Customs for the past two years. I have often wondered how we address the importance of understanding the relationship between ethics and our work in Customs, and how this understanding aligns with our sense of social responsibility.

We cannot neglect our corporate social responsibility because it rests upon our shoulders. Today, we have gathered here representatives from the Department of Customs, the Inland Revenue Department, and the Excise Department, which are the three main revenue departments of the country. We are responsible for ensuring the well-being of the general public. They look to us with trust and expectation to perform our duties by collecting the revenue due to the state. There are 22 million people depending on us.

Yes, we have met the revenue target set for us by collecting 975 billion rupees. But we must ask ourselves: have we collected the maximum possible revenue for the nation? Can we ensure that there were no revenue leakages in this process? If someone alleges that we did not perform our duties to the best of our abilities, can we refute that claim? The issue is whether we could have collected more revenue and if there might have been some leakage in the revenue collected. We are aware of the ongoing economic crisis, during which people have suffered due to shortages of medicine and have died waiting in queues.

What was the problem? It was a matter of our country’s income. If people have died because of shortcomings in our duties, think of the anger, restlessness, and curses that would be directed towards us. We must seriously consider this. As individuals, we all know very well whether we have fulfilled our duties and responsibilities optimally.

One day, one of the officers shared a personal story with me: his child mentioned an incident at school where other children talked about corruption within Customs and asked if his father was also involved in such activities. The officer was shocked and felt terrible. As human beings, we have our weaknesses, and mistakes can occur. But there will come a day when we realize these issues. That is why, for the past two years, I have emphasized that we are responsible for the wellbeing of the people in this country. We bear this holy responsibility.

I am confident that the vast majority in Customs have fulfilled this responsibility with integrity. However, there is a small, organized group that tarnishes the good image of Customs. We need to identify this group and help them understand ethical behavior. This is why outsiders believe that this group is damaging the reputation of Customs.

This is where the paramount importance of the Internal Affairs Unit comes into play. We do not intend to fire any officer through these processes. Our goal is to educate officers about the risks and consequences of misconducts and unethical behaviors. There was a recent incident where the career life and future of several junior officers was jeopardized by the inappropriate actions of a senior officer. As a system we have created a favorable environment for that senior officer, leading to these unfortunate experiences. As a department, its managers, and policymakers, we have a responsibility to create an environment that prevents corruption and bribery. The issue is whether we, as policymakers, have created such an environment. We must decide whether to address these issues within the department or escalate them to the ministry.

I believe that our team spirit has earned us appreciation from Parliament and other forums. However, despite working as a team and addressing these issues wisely and sincerely, some individuals still do not comply due to personal reasons. We must take serious actions and enforce severe penalties on these individuals, regardless of preventive measures like this program. The code of conduct plays a crucial role in this regard. We inform our officers about the code of conduct and the consequences of breaching it. Violations make officers personally responsible and adversely affect their entire future. This is the message we are conveying.

We should clearly understand to whom we are accountable for our duties and actions. Sometimes, we believe that our responsibility extends only to our families. That’s why we might strive to collect more money.

Often, government institutions, especially revenue-collecting departments like Customs and the Inland Revenue Department, face allegations. But what about government institutions that spend state money? Corruption exists there too, but we are often the focus of criticism. Corruption in any institution disrupts the rights of the general public, and we are all responsible for this. Therefore, our responsibility should extend beyond our family, village, or country to encompass all of humanity. Concepts like ethics, integrity, code of conduct, and responsibilities apply universally. We must understand this universal responsibility in relation to our personal existence.

The establishment of the Internal Affairs Unit is not intended to punish Customs officers but to improve the department and ensure we fulfill our responsibility in revenue collection, especially during these challenging economic times, as a unified team.

I must highlight a special development regarding the trade unions of Sri Lanka Customs. Unlike in the past, Customs Trade Unions are now collaborating with the department’s management to combat corruption. This is a positive sign of the team spirit within Sri Lanka Customs, as everyone aligns with the principle of “Country First.”

In conclusion, I would like to end with a poem by William Penn, which I learned from a book during my school days. It beautifully expresses our universal responsibility:

“I shall pass this way: I shall not pass this way again; If therefore any good thing to do any fellow creature; Let me do it now; Do not neglect or not differ it as I Shall not pass this way again.”

Thank you very much.