Thread by @NadsMaj

🚨 Here's a sobering fact about corruption in SL - One or more Sri Lankans have featured in almost every one of the major leaks associated with offshore tax havens from #PanamaPapers to #SwissLeaks and now #PandoraPapers. Go figure. 1/

Add to the fact that these leaks cover only a fraction of this massive industry and it begs the question - is corruption systemic or has it in fact become "endemic", or native to our system of political power and governance? 2/

This is why at the last general election my criteria was very simple - My ❌ for your Asset Declaration - and in my district of Colombo there was alas, only one solitary candidate. This needs to change. 3/

To tackle the shady world of offshore tax havens and laundromats, we need a Parliament that has far more than only 10 MPs willing to make their asset declarations public. The pressure to make this happen, MUST come from the CITIZENRY. 4/

I have given up hope that anymore from the current lot will make their declarations public. I am especially disappointed with so called progressives who have balked at the principle of public representatives' finances being made public. 5/

But we can change this. It's my sincere hope that at the next election, PC or Local, whichever comes first, every voter, regardless of party loyalty (be they economic left or right, authoritarian or Libertarian) will demand - "My ❌ for your Asset Declaration" 6/

This is only a first step. Next step is to ensure that all #campaignfinance sources are declared, including in kind benefits. Again waiting for these policy decisions to be made at the top is looking increasingly futile. The pressure must come from the citizenry. 7/

If we can build these two foundational pillars, we can begin rebuilding a better, more accountable democracy, one that is inclusive, where our representatives are beholden to their constituents and responsive to the public interest and not to self-serving groups' vested interests

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