Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has raised concerns over proposed amendments to the Anti-Corruption Act, warning that the changes could undermine transparency and restrict public scrutiny of corruption-related information.
In a social post, TISL alleged that the proposed Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill would grant the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) broad discretion to withhold information contained in asset and liability declarations on the grounds of privacy.
The organisation also claimed that individuals who disclose information relating to questioned asset declarations without the consent of the declaration holder could face legal consequences, even in cases involving alleged corruption or illicit wealth.
According to TISL, the proposed provisions could limit the ability of journalists, civil society organisations and citizens to expose corruption and hold public officials accountable.
The organisation further warned that the use of asset declaration information could be restricted to formal investigations, potentially preventing information from being used for public scrutiny and debate.
TISL called for the proposed amendments to be reconsidered, arguing that anti-corruption legislation should strengthen, rather than weaken, transparency and public accountability mechanisms. (Newswire)