The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, I move:

¶ 02 “That the Regulations made by the Minister of Justice and National Integration under Section 156 read with Sections 82 and 92 of the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, and published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2428/43 of 20.03.2025, which were presented on 20.05.2025, be approved. (Cabinet approval has been granted.)”

¶ 03 Mr. Speaker, our Government received a primary people’s mandate to combat corruption and fraud by enforcing mechanisms and the law robustly. In line with that mandate, we have introduced the Proceeds of Crime law. Although the Anti-Corruption Act was passed about a year ago, the necessary regulations to operationalize it were not in place. With the new Government, we have now been able to bring the regulations to this House.

¶ 04 Considering global challenges and complex modern financial transactions, we need to update declarations of assets and liabilities and ensure international standards of transparency. These regulations, vetted by the independent Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), have been presented via the Legal Draftsman.

¶ 05 I must thank Opposition Members Ajith P. Perera and Chithral Weerasinghe for constructive participation at our Ministry’s Advisory Committee to clarify and update matters. One key point raised was that while the form is clear, an ordinary person may still need time to understand it. We proposed that CIABOC provide an explanatory leaflet to help the public complete it accurately. Though the form states that undeclared assets can be forfeited to the State, the Act clearly allows genuine errors to be corrected; no one should harbor undue fear. The intent targets only those who deliberately conceal assets and liabilities.

¶ 06 Court rulings have noted that a root cause of our economic decline has been corruption and fraud by high-level political authorities and senior officials. Recent convictions — for instance in cases against Mahindananda Aluthgamage and others — underline that public funds are a trust; those who used them for private benefit have been duly punished. The message is clear for all, including our Government: public resources must be used for the people’s welfare, not private gain.

¶ 07 Regarding the form, some Opposition Members asked what happens if details surface later. Realistically, ordinary people cannot instantly locate every land record and valuation. Therefore, the regulations allow for subsequent clarification where something was genuinely forgotten; they do not permit cover-ups.

¶ 08 Some try to dismiss liabilities by saying “that is not mine.” Let me also respond to claims that our Government does not fulfill promises. For example, when we decided to dispose of luxury vehicles to cut expenditure, some said we were lying and would keep using them silently. We followed due process, called tenders, and sold them at good value. Those who alleged “low prices” have now had their claims disproved by the Northern Province Governor’s disclosures, and legal steps have been initiated where necessary. Similarly, false claims about 323 containers are being investigated, and those who misled the public cannot simply apologize later to escape consequences.

¶ 09 A few media outlets amplify such falsehoods. We have respected freedom of expression both in Opposition and in Government, but misuse to spread calculated untruths will be met through lawful means. Allegations that I insulted the judiciary are baseless; I have served 25 years in the legal field and respect judicial independence. Our administration has ensured space for an independent Attorney General and judiciary. No amount of media pressure will win presidential pardons for convicts; due process will prevail. A 17-member medical board appointed by the Health Ministry recently found a certain inmate had no illness, leading to his placement in custody — equal treatment before the law.

¶ 10 Question proposed.