Centre for Monitoring Election Violence together with Transparency International Sri Lanka conducted a conference on newly enacted Election Campaign Finance Regulations act with the participation of civil society representatives , Social and Political Activists and other interested parties.
Hon Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksha ( Ministry of Justice ,Prison and constitutional reforms ) ,Mr Anthony Banbury (President and CEO of IFES) Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu (Co-Converner-CMEV) ,Mr Mahinda Deshapriya (Chairmen ,NDC) , Ms Sankhitha Gunarathne (Deputy Excecutive Director – TISL) were the keynote speakers while Mr Saman Sri Ratnayaka ( Commissioner General – EC) , Ms Silja Pasilinna (Chief of Party, IFES) Mohamed Ziyad(TISL), Hareendra Banagala AAL, Anuradha Kandanage AAL,joined the panel discussion which was facilitated by Mr Luwie Ganeshathasan.
Mr Saman Sri Ratnayaka revealed that the above act will be in power from this election onwards where the individuals and the parties will have to disclose their audited election expense reports to the elections commission. Mr Deshapriya emphasized on the fact of importance of using a digitalized platform to collect above data and also appreciated the efforts of the former and current election commissions and civil societies for their efforts on making this bill a reality. Minister Wijeyadasa Rakapakshe mentioned that the government did not have any intention of using this bill to postpone the elections while they are looking forward to bring in more amendments to the elections act in order to strengthen the election finance regulation laws.
It was highlighted on the importance of the engagement of public and activists in order to keep improving the newly enacted act to ensure the atmosphere for fair elections.