The Right to Information Commission of Sri Lanka has ordered the Valuation Department to submit a list of Members of Parliament (MPs) in the Colombo District whose houses and properties were damaged during the 2022 ‘Aragalaya’ (protests) and who had submitted applications for compensation to be paid by the State for the damage.
RTI Commissioners, attorneys Kishali Pinto-Jayawardena, Jagath Liyana Arachchi and AM Nahiya directed the Designated Officer of the Valuation Department, Addl Chief Valuer A.S.W.K. Nanayakkara to compile and release the list following TISL submitting the names of Colombo District MPs. This was in response to an appeal by Transparency International, Sri Lanka (TISL) against the refusal of the Valuation Department to release the information on a right to information request submitted by TISL,
In the appeal hearing on 12.07.2023, the Valuation Department had informed the Commission that it had a List of all individuals whose houses and properties had been damaged during last year’s protests sent by a Presidential Commission of Inquiry which had sat from 2022-2023 to probe the disturbances. However, that list did not specifically relate to MPs nor were MPs identified separately in the list. The Department had asked TISL to obtain the List directly from the Presidential Commission.
Upon questioning by the Commission, it was disclosed that the list had not been sent to the Department under confidential cover by the Presidemtial Commission. The Department had then given an undertaking to the Commission that, upon the Commission directive, it would go through the names in the List and extract the relevant names of the MPs as specified in the information request, provided that it would be given sufficient time to do so.
The Colombo Telegraph learns that the Department had also clarified during the appeal hearing, that many of these properties may be held in the names of persons other than the MPs and as such, the Department would limit itself to listing only the names of those whose identification as MPs could be properly made.
TISL had also asked for the valuation reports issued by the Department of Valuation in respect of the applications that had been sent in by MPs which the Commission ruled, would be considered at the second stage once the list is released.
Further hearing of the appeal before the RTI Commission will be on 04.10.2023.
In a separate hearing on the same day, Colombo Telegraph was informed by families of the disappeared during Sri Lanka’s conflict years, that the Ministry of Justice had also undertaken to the RTI Commission, to release details of the compensation payments made to individuals during 2019 by the Ministry.
RBH59 / July 16, 2023
RTI Commission Directs Release Of List Of MPs’s Who Had Submitted Applications For Compensation For Damage To Properties During The 2022 Aragalaya
The damages done to properties is must be fixed and also What about the damages done to country by MP, why is it taxed to the people.Why is it MP damages is priority and public sufferings is not yet fixed
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Buddhist1 / July 16, 2023
If anyone or any group sets fire to a house then the person who owns the house takes two actions: 1)
Applies to the Insurance Company and claims; 2) Goes to court and files a case against those who set fire to claim damages. In this case, where the politicians’ homes were burnt these two actions have not been taken by the politicians and they are expecting handouts from the government, which in turn from the taxpayers in the country.
Why should the politicians get special treatment? It’s time to file a case in the courts against this move as it’s a violation of the personal rights of a taxpayer/citizen.
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Ajith / July 17, 2023
We talk of compensation of burning houses during the period of Aragalaya but buring of a house is a crime. Did the poloice investigated the crimes and who was the criminal/s involved in this crime and anyone was charged in the courts? In some cases the houses may have burnt by the owners of the house or men organised by them. In Sri Lanka, we have heard of several allegations of murder attempts to gather sympathy by many leaders as well.
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Captain Morgan / July 17, 2023
If compensation is to be paid by the government to members of parliament whose properties were damaged or destroyed during the Aragalaya period, then it should be awarded only for those properties registered in the names of the claimant MPs and not for those properties held under the names of proxies.
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Bert / July 19, 2023
CM:
I agree compensation should be even considered if the property was in the name of the parliamentarian or his/her spouse. Having said that I am personally paying compensation to crooks.
Anyone claiming compensation should prove the claim and also prove how the wealth lost was accumulated.
This was passed by legislature for the crooks by the crooks, I don’t know whether there is a possibility for people to go to court and force the govt to pay compensation for property lost in 1977 & 1983?
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Bert / July 19, 2023
Correction:
“Should only”
“Personally against”
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Ajith / July 20, 2023
“Having said that I am personally against paying compensation to crooks.”
Who should pay compensation and Who should receive compensation? This is the question before us. We all agree that the removal of former President and its government by people is right because the Gota and his government are responsible the economic crisis. What is the punishment for them. We, people have to pay all the losses made to this country and keep them in the luxary life without any question. Why should people pay compensation to those who made the bankgruptcy, instead they paying compensation to the people?
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Douglas / July 18, 2023
Why only confined to the “Colombo District”? Give the names, of the owners of the properties, both movable and unmovable, destroyed and the amount claimed from all Districts. Have they made any claims under Insurence?
Have the claimants (the MPS) made those assets in their declaration of “Assets & Liabilities” to the Speaker of the Parliament?
The PEOPLE have a right to know all these details “PLUS”, if the claims are paid from Public Funds. So please reveal all these details.
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