A wave of ministers have admitted to mistakes in their asset and liability declarations, rushing to correct them with affidavits and letters to the Bribery Commission as public scrutiny mounts.
According to reliable sources, several ministers who submitted incomplete or erroneous asset and liability records have now revised them. The move comes after growing public concern over transparency and accountability in political declarations.
Justice, Prisons Affairs, and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara openly acknowledged his own mistake, admitting that he too had submitted a flawed declaration. He emphasized that the oversight was not intentional fraud but an honest error, later corrected through proper channels. “Although I am the Minister of Justice, I am also a human being,” Nanayakkara explained, pointing to the complexity of the asset and liability documentation as a reason why mistakes may occur.
Commission officials confirmed that another group of MPs and ministers are preparing to submit corrections, suggesting that this issue is far more widespread than initially assumed. They noted that ministers have been providing formal affidavits to amend their records, a process meant to ensure accuracy in compliance with the law.
The controversy surrounding the declarations has sparked heated debate in recent days, with civil society groups and watchdogs questioning whether errors were genuine or deliberate attempts to conceal wealth. Critics argue that even if unintentional, such lapses erode public trust in leaders who are expected to set an example of integrity.
The unfolding situation highlights the urgent need for clearer, more accessible declaration processes while underscoring the importance of accountability in political life. For now, the corrections may ease legal consequences, but the political damage to credibility remains a growing challenge for those in power.
