Speaker to assist in publishing MP asset declarations

Lawmakers yesterday urged Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to reveal the names of Parliamentarians who have submitted their asset and liability declarations.

Highlighting the some erroneous media reports, the Speaker stated that he would consult the Secretary to the President who would have received the declarations of the Ministers and help publish them. “A misleading news item published that 219 members have skipped presenting the declarations. 

The same news item was then republished by different television channels despite the fact that the newspaper carried an apology and a correction on 4 September.

 It is known that a considerable number of lawmakers on both sides have submitted their declarations,” said Jayasuriya. 

Chief Opposition Whip JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that his party members had submitted the declarations to the Speaker as well as the Elections Commission. 

“Most of the Ministers had not made their declarations on the assets and liabilities when the assets and liabilities of former Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranaike were taken up during the Rajapaksa regime,” MP Dissanayake said. (AH)