Five MPs reveal details of their assets to the public

Five Parliamentarians today made public their asset declarations in a move seen as a historic, first step.

Parliamentarians M.A Sumanthiran, Tharaka Balasuriya, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Vidura Wickramanayaka and Eran Wickramaratne made their asset declarations public.

The event was organised by Transparency International Sri Lanka.

Transparency said that the move was a major step towards an open Parliament and a strong democracy.

Sumanthiran said that he hopes that more MPs will come forward and made their asset declarations public.

He said that it is a punishable offence for the asset declarations of an MP to be revealed by another person.

As a result the five MPs have on their own free will decided to make public their asset declarations.

Transparency International Sri Lanka has campaigned for many years to bring this information into the public domain, believing that greater openness by public representatives increases trust and ensures stronger accountability. The asset declarations can be accessed on http://www.tisrilanka.org/MPassets

Speaking at this historic occasion, TISL?s Executive Director Asoka Obeyesekere said, ?We commend the bold step taken by the five members of parliament to submit their asset declarations to the people. Whilst this marks a significant milestone in the campaign to bring politicians? asset declarations into the public domain, we also hope that this step will encourage other public representatives to recognise the unquestionable public interest that is served by disclosing this information?

Obeyesekere added, ?This will help open Parliament to the people and promote a culture of transparency and accountability, further bridging the gap between the people and their representatives. It has been TISL?s longstanding position that putting information in the hands of the people is the key to enhancing governance in Sri Lanka?. (Colombo Gazette)