Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian and
State Minister of Regional Co-operation Tharaka Balasuriya says all parliamentarians should declare their assets and also be held accountable through the Attorney General.
"This will help to refute widespread public allegations of corruption," he told Parliament yesterday.
“I have a few suggestions to make, which I feel would address the current allegations made by citizens of this country. Firstly, why can’t all Parliamentarians have their assets and income audited and declared in Parliament? This can be presented to the Secretary, who will then produce it before Parliament annually."
He also went on to stress that "If we haven’t stolen, I see no reason why we should be afraid."
The State Minister made several other recommendations including having a neutral Cabinet.
“We should have an unbiased and neutral Cabinet so that decisions can be made without people’s allegations of one family making decisions. I clearly understand that the people are referring to the Rajapaksa family, but if we have a neutral Cabinet, we would not have to face accusations.”
In a third recommendation Balasuriya said Sri Lankas
parliamentarians should have a age limit.
“In Nepal, only people between the age of 25 and 65 years of age can be in Parliament.
Reshuffling Parliament time and time again with the same people is not a solution," he said.
"If a politician has been trying hard for 40 years to change a country’s policy, I see no scope for them if they are trying to remain in politics for another 20 years trying to make a change.
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