Kiriella deplores constitutional lacuna in dealing with corrupt MPs

Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District MP, Lakshman Kiriella, addressed Parliament on Thursday, expressing his concerns about the Sri Lankan constitution and its failure to address the issue of corrupt Members of Parliament involved in gold smuggling.

He argued that the current constitution had been manipulated by corrupt politicians for their own benefit, leaving it devoid of provisions to take action against MPs found guilty of smuggling contraband into the country.

During the second reading debate on the anti-corruption bill, Kiriella highlighted the importance of the Soulbury Constitution, which included provisions to punish corrupt MPs. He cited an example from the past, when four

MPs, including two ministers, were expelled from Parliament for accepting bribes. However, Kiriella noted that subsequent constitutions, namely the first and second republican constitutions, failed to incorporate similar clauses.

He expressed disappointment that the constitution had been amended more than 20 times, yet none of these amendments addressed the issue of taking action against sitting MPs involved in smuggling and violating immigration laws.

He argued that the country’s political leaders, starting from 2005, had manipulated the constitution to suit their own interests, resulting in a lack of provisions to combat corruption among MPs.

The MP acknowledged that President Chandrika Kumaratunga had respected the judiciary during her tenure and allowed independent commissions to operate under the 17th Amendment. However, he pointed out that since 2005, the rule of law had been undermined, with various amendments curbing the powers of independent commissions.

He highlighted the cases of Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, who was removed from office for ruling against the government, and the summoning of three judges before the parliamentary privileges committee for issuing an order to conduct elections.

Analysts said Kiriella’s remarks shed light on the current state of affairs in Sri Lanka, where the absence of a provision to address corruption among MPs raises concerns about the rule of law. The MP called for a reconsideration of the constitution and the restoration of measures to combat corruption effectively.