Only seven MPs have so far submitted their Asset Declaration for 2018/19 to the relevant authorities following a call by Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) to do so by today.
However, after being referred by the Right to Information (RTI) Commission, the authority ruled that President Maithripala Sirisena as the President of the country does not have to declare assets and liabilities.
Meanwhile, a call for a ruling whether Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe needs to declare assets will go before the Court of Appeal (CA) following an appeal against a RTI Commission order filed by the President’s Office on July 19.
“We went to the Prime Minister’s office, asking for his asset declaration. This appeal went before the RTI for a period of almost two years.
“At the end of which the RTI ordered, asking the President’s office, to disclose PMs’ asset to TISL. However, to date, we have not received this information. Almost six months, after the decision was given; we have now received a notice that President’s office has appealed this decision before the Court of Appeal (CoA) and this is coming up on July 19,” Senior Manager Advocacy of TISL Sankhita Gunaratne told reporters at TISL.
“Two MP’s have got in touch; we will announce their names, once we receive the asset declaration,” she hinted on the two MP’s, who have agreed to comply.
She added, failing to meet the deadline, will constitute an offence under the asset declaration law.
Gunaratne urged the citizens, to look before they leap since the election season is approaching and as voters, they hold a key decision and a power they possess, as to who to vote for.
“As you go to caste the vote, it’s important you’re armed with accurate information,”
In February, this year seven MPs, declared their assets, liabilities and wealth.
The seven MPs were, Tharaka Balasuriya, UPFA parliamentarian Vasudeva Nanayakkara, M. A. Sumanthiran, Vidura Wickramanayake, State Minister of Finance Eran Wickramaratne, Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake and former diplomat Ali Zahir Moulana.