Internal Affairs Unit (IAU)

1.Background:

Department of Animal Production &Health Department (DAPH) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the process of collecting government revenue and deliver services and inputs. To further strengthen these principles and ensure the efficient and effective operation of the Department, it is imperative to establish a dedicated unit to address issues related to misconduct, corruption, and other irregularities.

The Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) will play a crucial to in promoting ethical conduct, preventing and detecting fraud, and ensuring compliance with laws, regulations. and internal policies. By establishing the IAU, the DAPH aims to enhance its reputation, improve operational efficiency, and build public trust. Considering these salient factors, it has been decided to establish an IAU within the DAPH to curb corruption, increase accountability and transparency, and foster on positive work environment that promotes integrity.

2.Objectives:

The Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) is a vital component within the IRD, dedicated to maintaining operational and workforce integrity. Its primary role is to ensure strict adherence to the IRD's internal policies and procedures, while addressing allegations of misconduct and malfeasance. The IAU's focus includes investigating internal bribery or corruption activities involving employees, non-criminal employee misconduct, and mismanagement issues concerning department operations and resources. By upholding these standards, the IAU plays a crucial role in promoting transparency and accountability within the organization.

The IAU will also be responsible for implementing integrity awareness programs to reinforce workforce integrity and proactively address the effects of corruption and misconduct on the Department and its employees. The work performed by the IAU will help to ensure the integrity of DAPH and its operations. By holding the Department and its employees to the highest standards of professional conduct and responsibility, the IAU will contribute to generating trust and confidence in the organization, its leadership, and its workforce.

Therefore, the specific objectives of establishing the IAU are as follows:

1. Fostering and preserving operational and workforce integrity.

2.Ensuring compliance with DAPH' internal policies and procedures and addressing allegations of misconduct and malfeasance.

3. Focusing on internal bribery or corruption activities, non-criminal employee misconduct, and other mismanagement issues.

4. Implementing integrity awareness programs to reinforce workforce.

3.Responsibilities:

The responsibilities of the IAU will be as follows:

i.          Receiving complaints of corruption from general public/ affected parties/stakeholders

ii.         Keeping records, reporting and forwarding to Internal Affairs Advisory Committee (IAAC)

iii.        Conducting preliminary inquiries in respect of complaints referred by the IAAC

iv.        Reporting to the IAAC based on the findings of preliminary inquiries conducted, on the actions to be taken in regard to complaints received

V.         Making recommendations to the DG/DAPH on long term measures to be taken to enhance integrity

vi.        Conducting integrity enhancement initiatives

4.Legal Scope:

The legal provisions for the operations of the IAU will be the provisions of the relevant Acts and regulation and any other relevant laws, Administrative and Financial Regulations (eg: Establishment code, DAPH Code of Conduct, Procedural Rules of Public Service Commission, etc.) as applicable to public officer

5.Operational Scope: The operational scope of the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) is designed to ensure a comprehensive approach to handling complaints and maintaining integrity within the DAPH. The IAU will receive complaints from the general public through various channels, including email, telephone, post, walk-ins, or any other method of conveyance. Once complaints are received, the IAU will conduct preliminary inquiries to determine the truth and accuracy of such complaints. Based on the findings, the IAU will report to the DG/DAPH along with the recommendations of the Internal Affairs Advisory Committee (IAAC), regarding the appropriate actions to take. The IAU's activities am integral to ensuring that complaints are addressed with due diligence and transparency.

In addition to investigating complaints, the IAU will also report to the DG/DAPH on both short-term and long-term measures to enhance integrity within the department. The officers of the IAU will have unhindered access to all offices of the DAPH, ensuring that they can effectively perform their duties at any time. Further more, they will be granted unrestricted access to all records, files, registers, and other materials, whether maintained electronically or otherwise, that are deemed necessary for conducting their investigations. This access is essential to maintaining thorough oversight and ensuring that the IAU can act swiftly and effectively in upholding the integrity of the organization.

6. Composition of Internal Affairs of DAPH:

I. Head of the Unit

II. Integrative officer

III. Members

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Telephone     - 081 2068304
Fax        - 081 2388031
Email        - iaudaph2025@gmail.com
Address    -

Internal Affairs Unit
Department Of Animal Production and Health
P.O. box 13, Gatambe,
Peradeniya.