SL Presidential candidates' asset details to remain private

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 08 November 2005, 14:31 GMT]
Free Media Movement expressed its "grave concern" on the decision made by the Election Commissioner to refuse to make public the assets, liabilities declarations of Sri Lanka's presidential candidates, in a press release issued in Colombo Tuesday.

Full text of the release follows:

The Free Media Movement expresses its grave concern at the rejection by the Election Commissioner of a request made by the Ravaya editor to obtain copies of assets and liabilities declarations forwarded by the two main presidential candidates, Ranil Wickremasinghe and Mahinda Rajapaksha.

The Election Commissioner's decision is a violation of the right of the people to access information vital in making their choice at the election scheduled for November 17.

It is also a violation of the legitimate right granted to the people under Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Act of 1975; as amended by Act 74 of 1988 which allows citizens to access these declarations.

FMM, being an organisation committed to defending freedom of information, strongly condemns the Election Commissioner's decision.