Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said the Anti-Corruption Bill proposes to include the President, Governors, Commissioners of Independent Commissions, Ambassadors and other people in the list to submit asset and liability statements. The minister said this while commencing the parliamentary debate regarding the Anti-Corruption Bill and the Bill to support and protect victims and witnesses of a crime yesterday (21).
The minister also said that many including Chief Ministers, Provincial Council Ministers, MPs and executive officers of embassies have been included in the list of assets and liability declarations through the Anti-Corruption Bill.
Under the existing system, a large number of officials who are considered to be required to provide declarations of assets and liabilities have not been covered, so under the Anti-Corruption Bill, the President, Commissioners of Commissions, High Commissioners, Ambassadors, chief ministers, governors, as well as foreign service officers and executive officers have been included for this purpose. He said; Although we are part of the United Nations Anti-Corruption Charter, it has taken us 19 years to submit the Anti-Corruption Bill to Parliament.
“The Supreme Court has proposed a number of amendments to this. The Opposition has also submitted a number of amendments. The purpose expected by the people of the country is not fulfilled by the existing Bribery or Corruption Commission. People are not happy about that.That is why this Anti-Corruption Bill is being presented,’’he said.