Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekara has submitted a private member’s motion in Parliament seeking to prohibit political parties from crediting the salaries, allowances, and vehicle permits of public representatives to party funds.
The motion argues that such practices undermine the independence of elected representatives and pose a serious challenge to democracy.
Jayasekara’s proposal states that Parliament should resolve to disallow any political party from collecting or diverting payments made to Members of Parliament into party accounts.
The move comes amid public discussion following the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) government’s acknowledgement that its MPs contribute their monthly salaries to a common party fund.
Jayasekara, who is also an Attorney-at-Law, described the practice as detrimental to representative freedom and accountability, urging all parties to safeguard the autonomy of parliamentarians. (Newswire)