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Companies
must follow Dhamma
Priests
can improve corporate governance says first prelate-cum director
in public listed company
By
Uditha Jayasinghe
A priest should be appointed to the director board
of every public institution to curb corruption and promote
good governance, according to Bonupitiye Nagatissa Thera,
the first prelate to be appointed to such a post in Sri Lanka.
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| Bonupitiye
Nagatissa Thera, was recently appointed as a Director
to Lanka Cement (Pic by Thushara Dassanayake) |
Appointed
to the Board of Lanka Cement, the Thera speaking to The Bottom
Line expressed confidence that such a move would be ideal
to instil transparency and confidence in the corporations
within the purview of the government, but was against it extending
to the private sector as that might trigger accusations of
political partisan and vested interests. “Priests have
the power to transcend the hierarchy and work without influence.
We must combat corruption on a first hand basis.
That
is the most important task that can be done by a patriot.
It is not sufficient to elect public servants and politicians;
we must take an active role to make sure that they discharge
their responsibilities in a fair, equitable and transparent
manner. As a priest, I have the power to dispute even the
Chairman of this company,” he said.
Questioned
whether it was acceptable for a priest to hold such a position
he replied, “As long as it is for the benefit of the
public and the development of the nation it is acceptable
for priests to hold such positions,” but stressed that
it should not be with any self interest. He also stated that
he had not accepted any salary or perks.
“I have accepted no salary or allowance as payment even
though all the posts I have been offered came with perks.
I accepted this post with the understanding that there would
be no compensation,” he said.
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More...
First Buddhist prelate on corporate hierarchy preaches his
heart out
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