TISL launches program to protect public resources amidst polls
Thursday, 22 August 2013 00:52
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By Sarah Hannan
Transparency Interna-tional Sri Lanka (TISL) has initiated a Program to Protect Public Resources (PPPR) at the upcoming Provincial Council elections.
In line with the PPPR, TISL’s ‘Shelter for Integrity’ will conduct a program through the Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre (ALAC) to assist the officers involved in election duty to stand against abuse of public property and ensure integrity during this period.
At a media briefing held by TISL on 21 August at Hotel Nippon, Colombo 02; Executive Director S. Ranugge explained that the Elections Commissioner holds the authority to bring the candidates to justice should they continue to misuse public property for their election campaign.
Ranugge also quoted from the Sri Lankan Constitution that refers to Chapter VI: Directive principles of state policy and fundamental duties, that states that the exercise and enjoyment of rights and freedoms are inseparable from the performance of duties and obligations and accordingly it is the duty of every person in Sri Lanka to preserve and protect public property and to combat misuse and waste of public property. Rannuge also highlighted Chapter XIV A that refers to the duties of the Election Commission that states that the objective of the Commission shall be to conduct free and fair elections and referenda. TISL Senior Manager Advocacy and Public Relations Shan Wijetunge explained that TISL would submit an interim monitoring report by 30 August to the Elections Commission and said that TISL has a list of the candidates who have not submitted their assets and liabilities reports to date and added that any candidate failing to submit the same by 25 August, would be revealed to the public. However, the Elections Commissioner has given the candidates time till 30 August where subsequent legal action would be taken against the candidates. Shelter for Integrity Coordinator D.M. Dissanayake in his address mentioned that the ALAC is ready to assist activists, election duty officers and the general public should they require aid in reporting misuse of public property by the candidates. The ALAC is backed by Lawyers for Democracy and can be contacted on 0112 513313 or via email [email protected].
