By Darshana Abayasingha

Main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya yesterday stressed the need for the new Government to take urgent measures to combat corruption and ensure greater transparency. 

SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne said new law must be introduced to strengthen the process of asset declaration by all MPs and top Government officials. It must become mandatory for all elected officials to declare their assets to the Speaker whereby they become public documents, Wickramaratne added. 

“There is also the Stolen Assets Recovery Program of the United Nations that can be worked on along with The World Bank, where we could trace stolen funds hidden in any banks or other agencies around the world. We need to deploy such programs and try recover funds stolen from Sri Lanka. We have to implement as many laws and actions against corruption and this should be a prime responsibility of the new Government, so that people could once again trust the system,” he said. 

Wickramaratne also recommends the strengthening of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption. He charged this institution has failed to bring a single perpetrator to justice due to interference.

SJB MP remarked the Commission must be made independent and given powers to recruit its own officers and investigators who must be proficient in finance and accounts.

“The primary objective now is to set up a Government that is acceptable to the Sri Lankan public and also acceptable to the international community and international markets. Otherwise, we cannot come out of this problem. This is imperative. We are speaking to all parties concerned including those who have been agitating. The new Government must find solutions to offer relief to the burdens of the public. This will not be easy as the Sri Lankan economy is bankrupt. But if there is an acceptable Government that can be trusted it will become easier. But the process takes some time,” Wickramaratne cautioned. 

Marikkar insists RW must step down immediately