Cabinet green-lights Campaign Finance Bill

• Bill to be Gazetted and presented to Parliament for approval 
• Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe states Bill will boost transparency
•  Says expenditure cap for candidates will be determined by Election Commission

The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday approved the Bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman to set expenditure limits on election candidates for their canvass.

“This has been a major concern and piece of legislation which got delayed for many years. It will enhance the transparency and accountability of the public representatives,” Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said at the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.

In a statement, the Government Information Department stated that the relevant Bill has received the Attorney General’s clearance and will be Gazetted and presented to the Parliament for its approval.

“There are limits on how much contestants can spend at an election, and controls on the sources of funding for that spending.  The candidates can lose their seat if they are found that the stipulated amount has been exceeded or the source of funds is not disclosed,” he explained.

Minister Rajapakshe also said that the expenditure cap for candidates will be determined by the Election Commission.

“The candidates must also declare their assets and the funds used in the election in an affidavit. If the authorities find that the process includes some fraudulent acts, through this bill the respective candidates will be fined and be penalised as per the criminal law,” he added.

The proposal to this effect tabled by the Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Minister Rajapakshe to publish the said Bill in the Government Gazette was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.