Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
Watchdog Groups Examine Government Response to Anti-Corruption Bill Concerns
Civil society organisations PAFFREL and TISL are assessing whether the government addressed their objections to the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill, which was passed without a vote despite their formal submissions.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
The People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) said it is reviewing the government's handling of concerns raised before the controversial Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill was passed. The bill was approved with amendments but without a vote in parliament, according to PAFFREL representatives.
PAFFREL had submitted a formal letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake outlining three major concerns regarding the proposed legislation. The watchdog organisation is now examining whether the government took these objections into consideration during the legislative process.
Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has similarly joined the review process to determine the extent to which their own submissions were addressed. Both organisations have been vocal in civil society circles regarding their positions on the bill.
The swift passage of the amendment without a parliamentary vote has drawn scrutiny from governance advocates who argue that contentious legislation warrants fuller deliberation. PAFFREL and TISL's ongoing assessment indicates continued monitoring of how the government responds to civil society input on matters affecting democratic institutions and anti-corruption frameworks.