CIABOC warns of fines, legal action for failure to submit asset declarations by 30 June

Director General Ranga Dissanayake

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has warned that individuals required to submit asset and liability declarations under Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption laws must do so before 30 June or face financial penalties and possible legal action.

CIABOC Director General Ranga Dissanayake said the requirement applies to all persons covered under the provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023 and stressed that compliance is mandatory.

“All officers who are required to submit asset and liability declarations must do so before 30 June. If they fail to submit their declarations by that date, they will be subject to a fine. In some cases, it may be a fine that is difficult to bear,” Dissanayake said, referring to penalties stipulated under the law.

He noted that Section 80(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act requires declarations for the relevant year to be submitted by 30 June, with delays potentially resulting in fines as well as court proceedings.

Dissanayake also highlighted a major change to the declaration process, noting that submissions can now only be made through a centralised electronic platform.

“This process can now only be completed through the centralised electronic system. You can no longer submit declarations by filling out paper forms as was done previously,” he said.

The electronic asset declaration system was launched on 31 March. However, Dissanayake expressed concern over the low number of registrations recorded so far.

“We can see that the number of people who have registered on the system so far is very low. That is why we are issuing this message today, urging everyone to register as soon as possible and submit their declarations,” he said.

The Director General stressed that the obligation to submit declarations extends beyond public officials and includes a wide range of individuals identified under the Act.

These include trade union executive officers, owners, editors, and editorial board members of newspapers registered under the Press Council Law, owners and editors of licenced media institutions, office-bearers of sports associations established under the Sports Law, licenced Customs agents, and all staff-grade officers in the public and provincial public services.

Dissanayake urged individuals who are uncertain whether they fall within the categories required to file declarations to seek clarification from their respective institutions.

“If you are a staff-grade officer and have not submitted an asset declaration because you were unaware of the requirement, please check with your institution to determine whether you are required to do so,” he said.

He asserted that compliance with the declaration regime is a personal responsibility, and not solely the responsibility of the anti-corruption watchdog.

“This is not merely a responsibility of the Commission. It is the responsibility of every citizen who falls within the categories prescribed by law,” Dissanayake said.

The CIABOC has also encouraged those requiring assistance with the declaration process to contact its hotline 1954 or seek guidance from its Assets and Liabilities Declaration Division. The Commission noted that the centralised electronic declaration platform can be accessed through its official website, where users can register and submit their declarations online before the 30 June deadline.