The Election Commission has announced that all candidates contesting the upcoming general elections are required to submit their asset and liability statements along with their nomination papers. 

As per Sections 80(01)(P), 82(01)(E), 82(02), 89, and 90(04) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023, the declarations must reflect the candidates’ assets and liabilities as of the date on which the election poll is officially announced, a media release issued by the EC notes.Additionally, in compliance with Article 99A, candidates nominated for National List positions also must also submit their asset and liability statements along with their nomination documents, it adds.

The EC reminds that failure to do so would be a punishable offense under the law.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has not asked for foreign chefs, foreign food and additional security, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said today.

Mr. Wijewardene said in a special statement that the party believes the comment made by Acting IGP that the withdrawal of Mr. Wickremesinghe’s security was cancelled and that his security has been restored.

Following is the statement made by Mr. Wijewardene in this regard.

We have noticed a mudslinging campaign against former President Ranil Wickremesigne especially after the presidential election over social media. What is said in these reports are totally false and we vehemently condemn this exercise.

It was reported that security details of the former President have been withdrawn and the said officers are expected to report to the police divisions they have been transferred to.  However the Acting IGP has denied this report and said these officers are still engaged in providing security for Mr Wickremeisnghe. We believe the Acting IGP and expect him to focus on the situation.

Also neither the former President nor Madom Maithri Wickremesinghe used the President’s House for their personal use. They only used it for official work. The allegation that they have asked for foreign chefs and had consumed foreign food are totally false.  This is a statement which is issued with malice. Food was purchased for the President’s House from local suppliers.

Also the video which is circulated claiming it to be the kitchen at the President’s house is totally false. This is being shared by less intelligent persons.

We in the UNP are saddened by the mudslinging campaign which tries to assassinate the character of Mr. Wickremeisnghe who is a person who performed his duty towards the nation. We believe that the citizens of this country have the intelligence to understand the truth. We also like to tell those who are behind the campaign to focus on fulfilling the aspirations of the people who gave them a mandate to rule this nation.

(Daily Mirror)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by Daily Mirror has not been edited by SLM staff) 

The Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations against Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Kanishka Wijeratne today (Oct. 07) gave undertaking to the Supreme Court to resign from office.

This was after the court granted leave to proceed with three Fundamental Rights (FR) applications filed challenging his appointment as the Director General of the CIABOC.

When the cases were taken up for hearing today before a three-judge bench, the current DG of the state’s anti-corruption agency Kanishka Wijerathne gave an undertaking to the Court that he will vacate the post by this afternoon. 

Since the undertaking of the current AG was given to the Court, no further interim orders were sought by the petitioners. 

Earlier, three FR petitions were filed challenging the appointment of the present DG on the basis that the appointment of Mr Wijerathne is contrary to the provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023 and has not been made following due process as required and contemplated by the law. 

Three petitions- Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) and its Chairman Pulasthi Hewamanna,  civil activist Vidhura Ralapanawe and  journalist Ruwani Niwanthika Fonseka-were filed arguing the manner in which the appointment was made “constitutes undue circumvention of the law and very intention of Parliament in enacting the Anti-Corruption Act”. 

The petitioners claimed that “an opaque, ambiguous and circuitous method” has been followed in making the said appointment without due consideration of the need to follow due reasonable process and/or in a manner that entails due transparency amongst other relevant requirements.

Mr Wijerathne was appointed by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council (CC). Mr Wijerathne was the CIABOC’s DG at the time of the enactment of the Anti-Corruption Act.

Viran Corea PC appeared for TISL while Saliya Pieris PC appeared for Vidhura Ralapanawe, and Venuka Cooray represented Ruwani Niwanthika Fonseka. 

Senior Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne PC appeared on behalf of the Attorney General department. 

The three member bench of the Supreme Court consists of Justice Padman Surasena, Justice Kumudine Wickremesinghe and Justice Janak de Silva. 

(Excerpts : sundaytimes.lk)