All political parties should present audited accounts to Elections Commission: UNP

By Ashwin Hemmathagama

Our Lobby Correspondent

All political parties should present audited accounts to the Elections Commission to prevent corruption and malpractices, the United National Party (UNP) insisted yesterday in Parliament.

Financial Audit Reports to the Election Commission would reveal the source of funds and the way they were used, Opposition Legislator Ravi Karunanayake insisted, moving a Private Members’ Motion.

According to Karunanayake, there are 64 registered political parties but the majority lack financial transparency. “Only 18 political parties are actively engaged in politics. We need to know where they get money from and how it was spent. In the absence of the 17th Amendment we need to make them declare audited financial reports to the Election Commissioner. Not only political parties, but politicians also must declare their finances,” he said.

UNP MP Eran Wickramaratne seconded the motion. He highlighted the best practices chartered by the United Nations to establish financial transparency in global scale. “We at the UNP have learnt a valuable lesson that you can’t be in the power for eternity. There will be days that the Government should also learn it. There has to be equal chance and opportunity for new people to contest and to hold positions, where this motion will put the foundation. Transparency International recently showed the use of Sri Lanka Transport Board buses, Government property for politics, and an instance an Air Force helicopter was also used by Minister Johnston Fernando to distribute his handbills. If the Government is incapable of good governance, we may have to ask for an acting government during the election periods,” said MP Wickramaratne.

Joining the debate, UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said: “The 18th Amendment destroyed all legitimate and legal systems in the country. The entire nation is now experiencing the adverse effects of this hurried Constitutional amendment. Appointing of Azwer to the council alone is not enough. It is nothing more than appointing members without brains but who raise hands in support. The UNP is still at the point for the 17th Amendment to be reestablished. This is a moment where the Police Commission is considered again. Today the SLFP owes over Rs. 10 million to Rupavahini Corporation and to Lake House over Rs. 100 million. The Government is unable to settle these debts.” In response, Minister of Water Supply and Drainage and Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena stated that earlier regulations that made members accountable for their financial reports were abolished by the United National Party Government. “Now the Elections Commissioner is entrusted with all necessary laws and it is compulsory for all political parties to present an audited report of the annual accounts. Up to now Commissioner has already cancelled four political parties failing to act according to these laws and some parties are already notified. Audit report is part of this act and we are happy that UNP is suggesting strengthening the regulations,” he said.