Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Act to be amended

COLOMBO (News 1^st) - The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) says that preliminary steps have been taken to introduce harsh punishments for individuals who fail to submit their declarations of assets and liabilities. Cabinet approval was granted several months ago, to amend the existing Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Act, after shortcomings in the law were highlighted by legal experts. A special discussion was held at CIABOC today on proposals to be included in the amendment of the Act. A proposal was submitted during the discussion to increase the fine for failure to submit an asset declaration to 100,000 rupees from the existing 1000 rupees or to increase the prison term to 2 years. The Act was last amended in 1988. According to Director General of the CIABOC, Sarath Jayamanne, at present, there is no legal pressure on certain individuals to submit their asset declarations. He added that it has been proposed that the new law should exert pressure on them. Sarath Jayamanne stated that the current law also does not state that the staff of MP's or Ministers need to submit asset declarations. Furthermore, he said, a proposal has been put forward that an asset declaration should be submitted to the Elections Commissioner  when candidates hand in their nominations for any election adding that a proposal has also been put forward that the public must have the right to access these asset declarations. The CIABOC Director general noted that the draft legislation would be sent to the cabinet of ministers following public consultations. WATCH VIDEO FOR MORE