MPs to disclose financial, biz interests in upcoming Code of Conduct

Members of Parliament will be required to disclose sufficient information regarding their business relationships and financial interests, once the draft Code of Conduct for lawmakers circulated yesterday is adopted.

 “Each Member shall disclose to Parliament all relevant interests that a reasonable person might think could give rise to the perception of influencing behaviour between the Member’s duties and responsibilities and his/her personal interests (e.g. land and property assets, share-holdings, gifts, foreign travel, symbolic rewards (e.g. honorary degree), sources of income, remunerated employment, directorships, liabilities, hospitality and affiliations). This applies to items received and could also apply to items donated or given. These shall be disclosed immediately following election and continuously updated within a reasonable period specified by Parliament,” the draft Code said.

The draft was circulated among all MPs yesterday in three languages and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya requested them to study it and send in their suggestions to the Office of the Secretary General of Parliament in writing within two weeks.

The Code states that whenever a Member has a personal or specific pecuniary interest (direct or indirect) in a matter being considered by Parliament or a committee thereof, he or she shall declare the nature of such interest notwithstanding any registration of his or her interests in the Register, and shall not participate in any debate taking place in the House or its committees before making such declaration.

It adds that parliamentarians should be as open to the public as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take and give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.

MPs are also required to act in good conscience, respect human rights and intrinsic dignity of all, act as to merit the trust and respect of citizens and community, give effect to the ideals of democratic government, abide by the letter and spirit of the constitution and uphold the separation of powers and the rule of law, hold themselves accountable for the conduct and duties for which they are responsible and exercise the privileges and discharge the duties of public offices diligently and with civility, dignity, care and honour.