Absence of transparency in public disclosure of Cabinet decisions highlighted

Senior election monitor Rohana Hettiarachchi explained the difficulty in ascertaining a government performance on the basis of Cabinet decisions taken as all such decisions weren’t made available to the public.

Appearing on Sirasa ‘Pethikada’ with presenter Asoka Dias, yesterday (30), Hettiarachchi revealed PAFFREL (People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections) and March 12 Movement (M12M) have discussed the conundrum with the government.

Hettiarachchi underscored the importance of transparency in respect of Cabinet decisions. In the absence of anticipated transparency, PAFFREL and M12M had no option but to examine 299 Cabinet decisions taken during the period November 2024 to May 2025.

Responding to Asoka Dias’ queries, Hettiarachchi said that the first bi-annual report that dealt with the NPP government’s manifesto titled, ‘A Thriving Nation-A Beautiful Life,’ indicated what he called a generally positive correlation between NPP’s actions and the commitments outlined in the manifesto. Of the 216 Cabinet decisions analysed, 23% had been taken in line with the manifesto, 27% showed support for manifesto themes, though not always with exact correspondence, 43% didn’t really correspond with the manifesto, whereas 7% were irrelevant.

Hettiarachchi appreciated the NPP’s commitment to restrict the number of Cabinet Ministers and Deputies to 50 as declared in their presidential manifesto.

There hadn’t been a separate manifesto for parliamentary elections, the civil society activist said.

The 50 Ministers and Deputy Ministers consists of 22 Ministers and 28 Deputies. While commending the NPP for enacting the ‘Proceeds of Crime Bill’ on 08 April, 2025, Hettiarachchci pointed out that the much touted promise to conduct long delayed Provincial Council polls were yet to be held. Hettiarachchi said that contrary to assurances given by the NPP, allowances granted to lawmakers haven’t been stopped and at least initial measures were yet to be taken in that regard.

The government hasn’t initiated action to do away with MPs pensions though there was a private member’s motion in that regard.

Although duty-free vehicle permits hadn’t been issued to members of Parliament, payments were being made for the maintenance of vehicles, Hettiarachchci said. Their report pointed out that the use of vehicles by MPs remains unclear.

According to Hettiarachchi, their report could guide the government and facilitate its efforts to achieve targets/objectives mentioned in NPP’s presidential polls manifesto.

Asked whether PAFFREL and M12M had taken over the responsibilities of the parliamentary Opposition, Hettiarachchi said that it would be a grave mistake on their part not to make an intervention. Hettiarachchi said that they wouldn’t continue to monitor the NPP’s performance while explaining how they determines the execution of the government’s manifesto.

Hettiarachchi said that in the run-up to presidential and parliamentary polls and thereafter, they had talks with the top NPP leadership. Top polls monitor said that they discussed the issues at hand with both JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva and NPP General Secretary Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe.

The civil society activist emphasised the responsibility on the part of the government to make available information necessary for them to make informed assessments. Appreciating the NPP’s response so far, Hettiarachchi pointed out that their work would benefit the government only if the administration fulfilled its promises. Otherwise, assessments undertaken by them would be inimical to the government, he said.

Hettiarachchi assured their intention was not to cause unbearable pressure on the government but facilitate implementation of its manifesto by continuously assessing the progress.

The examination of the report revealed that the NPP government would have to go a long way to achieve the objectives mentioned in its manifesto.

By Shamindra Ferdinando