CIABOC warns of fines for failure to submit asset declarations by June 30

Colombo, June 15 (Daily Mirror) - The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has urged all individuals required to submit declarations of assets and liabilities to do so before June 30, warning that failure to comply could result in fines and legal action.

Addressing the media, Director General of CIABOC Ranga Dissanayake said that under the Anti-Corruption Act, persons required to submit annual declarations of assets and liabilities must do so by June 30 of the relevant year.

He said that delays in submitting declarations could lead to substantial financial penalties and legal proceedings as stipulated under the law.

Dissanayake also said that declarations must now be submitted exclusively through the centralised electronic system introduced on March 31, 2026. He said the previous paper-based submission process is no longer accepted.

While the online platform has been operational for more than two months, the Director General expressed concern that the number of individuals who have registered with the system remains low. He urged those required to submit declarations to register and complete the process without delay.

The Director General further pointed out that the Anti-Corruption Act of 2023 has expanded the categories of individuals required to file declarations. In addition to public officials who were previously covered, several new groups have now been brought under the reporting requirements.

These include executive officers of trade unions, owners, editors and editorial board members of newspapers registered under the Newspapers Ordinance, owners and editorial personnel of licensed media institutions, office-bearers of sports associations established under the Sports Act, and staff-grade officers in the public and provincial public services.

He also said that licensed customs house agents, commonly known as wharf clerks, have been included as a new category required to submit declarations under the provisions of the Customs Ordinance.

Dissanayake advised individuals who are uncertain about their obligations to consult the heads of their institutions to determine whether they fall within the categories required to submit declarations.

He said that filing asset and liability declarations is a legal responsibility of every individual covered by the law and is not merely an administrative requirement imposed by the Commission.

CIABOC has encouraged members of the public to seek further information through its hotline 1954 or by contacting the Assets and Liabilities Declaration Division. Information on registration and submission procedures is also available through the Commission's official CIABOC website.