The government has decided to amend the draft bill issued last month through a Gazette notification to revise the Anti-Corruption Act No. 09 of 2023, the Leader of the House, Bimal Rathnayake said.

Speaking in Parliament today (06), he announced that the proposed amendments will allow the asset and liability declarations of public representatives to be made available to the public.

Rathnayake said the decision was taken to introduce changes to the existing draft legislation and strengthen transparency measures relating to declarations made by elected representatives.

Minister Rathnayake noted that under Sections 86 and 88 of the Act, senior government officials and political leaders, including the President, were required to submit details of their assets and liabilities.

He said nearly 300 individuals, ranging from the President and other high-ranking officials, were required to provide their asset and liability declarations under the provisions of the Act.

The Minister explained that the original process required these declarations to be submitted in printed form, but the procedure was later amended to allow submissions through an online system.

He added that the government has decided to further amend the draft legislation to ensure greater transparency regarding asset and liability declarations submitted by public representatives.

The Anti-Corruption Act No. 09 of 2023 includes provisions on the declaration of assets and liabilities by certain categories of individuals, as part of efforts to prevent and combat corruption.

The revised draft is expected to be presented after the necessary amendments are completed.