Text by PRIYAN DE SILVA
Minister of Justice, Prisons and Constitutional Reforms Wijeyadasa Rajapakse on Thursday said that the Campaign Finance Regulation Act became effective on Tuesday (24) and that the Anti-Corruption bill will be presented to Parliament within a few weeks for the betterment of the country.
The minister said corruption is widespread both in the public and private sectors and reiterated that it is the people who have made a path for any corrupt politician to come to power and in the meantime blocked the path of the educated.
He stressed that it was imperative that the people be able to elect honest, educated, patriotic persons to represent them and rule this country and the Campaign Finance Regulation Act will create a more level field.
The minister of Justice made these comments addressing participants at the ‘Conference on Campaign Finance Regulations’ organised jointly by the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) and Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL).
Rajapakse said that the government fast-tracked the Campaign Finance Regulation Act and explained how it will be implemented and confirmed that it will be effective for the March 9 LG poll.
Dr. Paikiyasothy Saravanamuttu Executive Director of the Centre of Policy Alternatives and Co-Convenor of the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV), Anthony Banbury President and CEO IFES, Mahinda Deshapriya Chairman National Delimitation Commission and Sankhita Gunarathne Deputy Executive Director Transparency International Sri Lanka addressed the conference.
A panel comprising of Saman Sri Rathnayaka Commissioner General Election Commission , Silja Pasilinna Chief of Party IFES, Attorney at Law Mohamed Ziyad Program Manager TISL, Attorney at Law, Harendra Banagala, Attorney at Law Anurad Kandage And facilitated by Attorney at Law Luwie Ganeshakanthan discussed ‘Who is responsible for the implementation of the new law and International experiences’