Out of 2479 candidates contesting the elections in the North Western and Central provinces, only 616 have so far submitted their assets and liability declarations according to the information received from the Election offices in five District Secretariats, Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) in a press release reveals. As a percentage this amounts to nearly 25%.
Interestingly, more than 90% of the candidates from the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) have submitted their assets and liability declarations.
“This should be commended and we believe other party candidates also will follow suit and submit their declarations without delay,” said TISL Executive Director, S.Ranugge
Elections Commissioner, Mahinda Deshapriya had instructed all the candidates, including those contesting as Independent to submit their declarations on or before 31st August 2013. The Commissioner has declared that the candidates who violate this law will be taken to court.
In the North Western Province, while only 10 % of the candidates in the Puttlam district and 30% from the Kurunegala district have submitted their assets & liabilities declarations, in the Central Province, the numbers read 35% from the Kandy district and 25% from the Nuwara Eliya district.
“When compared to the last Provincial Council elections, candidates have shown more commitment to submit their declarations at this election,” added Mr Ranugge, who said that. this could be due to repeated requests by the Elections Commissioner.