News
PAFFREL urges steeper penalties for candidates who fail to submit expense reports after polls
… warns that courts will be overwhelmed by cases
Campaign finance laws should be amended to allow the automatic disqualification of candidates who fail to submit expense reports on time, without requiring legal action, Executive Director of the People’s Action for Free and Fair Election (PAFFREL), Rohana Hettiarachchi has said.
Currently, the Election Commission (EC) must pursue legal action against non-compliant candidates through the Police and the Attorney General’s Department, a process Hettiarachchi described as cumbersome and inefficient.
“This is a major issue with campaign finance laws. During the 2024 presidential election 13 candidates, along with their party secretaries or nominators, failed to submit their expense reports. Similarly, over 100 candidates, at the Elpitiya Local Council poll, and more than 1,200 who contested the November 2024 general election, did not hand over their reports,” he said.
Hettiarachchi explained that under current laws, legal proceedings must be initiated to penalise these individuals. “The Election Commission lodges complaints with the Police, and the Police, after consulting the Attorney General’s Department, take legal action against those who fail to submit their expense reports on time. This is a lengthy and unnecessary process, as there is no investigation required. It is a straightforward case of failing to comply,” he said.
He warned of the administrative challenges this could pose at the upcoming Local Council elections. “If, for example, 10,000 candidates fail to submit their expense reports, the Election Commission, Police, and Attorney General’s Department will be overwhelmed. They would have no capacity to focus on anything other than filing cases.
Similarly, the courts will be burdened with hearing these cases, leaving little room for other judicial work.”
Hettiarachchi highlighted the current penalties under campaign finance laws: a person found guilty of failing to submit expense reports loses their civic rights for three years and is required to pay a fine of Rs. 100,000.
He called for stricter reforms, proposing an extension of the civic rights suspension period from three to seven years and the immediate loss of civic rights for individuals who fail to submit their reports on time. “These measures will not only simplify enforcement but also ensure greater accountability from candidates,” he said.
Latest News
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
The IMF Executive Board approved emergency financing under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), providing Sri Lanka with immediate access to SDR 150.5 million (about US$206 million,
equivalent to 26 percent of quota) to help Sri Lanka address the urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability.
In response to severe weather impacts, the Sri Lanka Navy conducted a diving and technical assistance operation on Friday (19 Dec 25) to clear major debris obstructing vital infrastructure.
Heavy rainfall caused a significant rise in the water level of the Mahaweli River, washed large quantities of debris, including logs and bamboo, downstream. These remain lodged in the Diyakapanathota in Gatambe, Peradeniya and Lewella bridges, obstructing the smooth flow of water.
Acting promptly upon request, a Navy diving team executed a coordinated operation in collaboration with the Road Development Authority. The team removed the accumulated debris, restoring normal water flow through the bridges.
Latest News
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till 08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and Kandeketiya in the Badulla district, Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
Lyon, Cummins shut the door on England’s slim Ashes hopes
Hodge hundred keeps West Indies’ fight on
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
Navy clears major bridge obstructions in Peradeniya and Lewella
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
Trump says US launched large-scale attacks on ISIL in Syria
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Midweek Review4 days agoHow massive Akuregoda defence complex was built with proceeds from sale of Galle Face land to Shangri-La
-
Features7 days agoWhy Sri Lanka Still Has No Doppler Radar – and Who Should Be Held Accountable
-
News3 days agoPakistan hands over 200 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Lanka
-
News3 days agoPope fires broadside: ‘The Holy See won’t be a silent bystander to the grave disparities, injustices, and fundamental human rights violations’
-
Latest News7 days agoLandslide early warnings in force in the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
-
News4 days agoBurnt elephant dies after delayed rescue; activists demand arrests
-
Features7 days agoSrima Dissanayake runs for president and I get sidelined in the UNP
-
Editorial4 days agoColombo Port facing strategic neglect