Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala insists most MPs have “nothing to declare” in their asset declarations, admitting he even tells them to just cross it out. His defense of clean hands raises eyebrows in a country where asset secrecy has long fueled public suspicion.
Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Sunil Watagala has sparked fresh debate over parliamentary transparency after admitting that many MPs file asset declarations with nothing to report. Speaking on Independent Television Service, he said some lawmakers feel embarrassed when faced with declaring assets because they have none.
“There is nothing to declare. Why are you writing this? I told you to cross it out. There is nothing for some people,” Watagala said, confirming that in some cases he instructs MPs to simply mark a dash on their forms.
The Deputy Minister rejected accusations of secrecy, insisting there is no fear among MPs about disclosing their wealth. “If we were afraid of the devil, we would not build houses,” he remarked. Watagala explained that his own declaration includes all property inherited from parents, assets earned during his professional career, and items gifted by relatives or friends. “They are all mine, and I have submitted them without concealment,” he stressed.
He urged the public to carefully read through asset declarations rather than jumping to conclusions. However, critics argue that the practice of allowing MPs to mark “nothing to declare” deepens suspicion about hidden wealth and accountability.
Watagala further noted that although over 150 MPs file asset declarations annually, only one or two are randomly selected for public release, fueling controversy over selective exposure.
As Sri Lanka continues to grapple with demands for political transparency, his comments may only add to public frustration over whether asset declarations truly reflect the reality of lawmakers’ financial dealings
