Sunday Times 2
A code of conduct for our elected representatives: Here’s the 2002 draft
View(s):The adoption of a code of conduct for elected representatives is one of the key election promises to be fulfilled under the 100-day programme of the Maithripala Sirisena and the Ranil Wickremesinghe administration. But there appears to be little initiative or a lack of progress in this direction. This may be because of an absence of a proper draft.
K.H.J. Wijayadasa, former Secretary to the President (1989-1994) has sent us a draft he had prepared in 2002 at the request of the UNP leadership. We reproduce Mr. Wijayadasa’s draft as a discussion paper. Mr. Wijayadasa was also the Secretary to the Prime Minister (1984-88) and member of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service:
Part 01 Honourable Conduct and Exemplary Behaviour
1.1 As an elected representative of the Party you should set an example to the whole nation by leading a simple, clean and disciplined life.
1.2 Both in your personal and public life you should display exemplary behaviour and honourable conduct which is likely to receive the acclamation and approval of the people.
1.3 You should refrain from levelling any criticism about Party matters in public which is likely to cause embarrassment or bring disrepute to the Party. Likewise classified information regarding schemes, strategies etc., of the Party should not be divulged to outsiders or the media.
1.4 You should at all time respect the Rule of Law and refrain from making false accusations or holding out threats to anyone.
1.5 You should be accessible to the people and strive to maintain a continuous dialogue especially with your constituents in an attempt to win their hearts and minds.
1.6 You should make every effort to understand and appreciate the problems and difficulties experienced by your constituents. Your primary objective should be to attend to their needs and resolve their problems.
1.7 You should refrain from consuming alcoholic drinks in public. You should not attend public meetings, ceremonies, Party meetings etc., under the influence of liquor.
1.8 You should refrain from participating in any kind of betting or gambling. You should not be seen at casinos, betting places and nightclubs.
1.9 Once you have accepted an invitation for any meeting or function you should be punctual and adequately prepared for it.
1.10 You should not give any undertaking or make any promises, which cannot be kept. You should always be truthful and forthright.
1.11 In deciding to help a voter or to grant him preferential treatment the guiding principles should be need, equity and priority over and above relationship or friendship.
1.12 You should refrain from indulging in sexual abuses such as illicit sex, homosexual activity or sexual harassment of any description.
1.13 In the event of your being arrested, indicted or sentenced by a Court of Law for a criminal offence you should submit a comprehensive report to the Leader of the Party explaining the facts and circumstances of the case for appropriate disciplinary action.
Part 02 – Eschewing Personal Gain and Privileges
2.1 You should perform the duties and functions of your office with honesty, impartiality and in the public interest, without expecting any rewards or privileges therefrom. You should refrain from indulging in any kind of bribery or corruption.
2.2 You should conduct yourself in such a manner that you do not use your official position to support or further any scheme or contract in which you have a private financial interest.
2.3 You should not accept any benefit whatsoever from any person who has entered into, or intends to enter into any contractual, proprietary, financial or such other relations with the government.
2.4 Obtaining liquor licences in your name or in the name of your dependent family members or carrying on the business of liquor sales or assisting your friends, relatives or constituents to obtain liquor licences or operate liquor sales outlets is totally prohibited. You should not obtain any allocation or purchase any state land or state houses outside public auction or public tender procedure.
2.5 You should not attempt to secure business from the government or a firm, company or organisation with which you or a dependent member of your family is directly or indirectly concerned or involved.
2.6 You are required to declare annually all your assets and liabilities and those of your family as well as any other financial interest in any property or any financial or material benefits accruing under any contract, agreement or other transaction in conformity with the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law. A copy of such Declaration should be transmitted to the Leader of the Party forthwith.
2.7 You should not influence any public official or state authority in respect of cases in which you or a dependent member of your family is financially interested whether directly or indirectly. Prior to making a statement in Parliament or any other elected Council on a matter involving any such financial interest you should declare the nature of your financial interest before such body.
2.8 You should not seek to influence any public official to obtain employment or public contract or monetary benefit for any friends, relatives or other persons. However, this does not prevent you from giving a certificate or testimonial to any applicant or candidate who is personally known to you.
2.9 Any official information made available to you in your official capacity shall not be divulged to anyone or used by you directly or indirectly in the profession or business in which you or a dependent of your family may be engaged.
2.10 You are required to reside in your constituency permanently. You should not lease, sublet or hire out government owned residential accommodation or premises, or telephones or office equipment.
2.11 You should not interfere with the working of any government department, corporation or agency nor should you request any such agency to organise public functions or obtain the participation of school children at such functions or sponsor advertisements or arrange for food, drinks and accommodation that would or is intended to enhance your political standing.
2.12 You should not accept invitations for diplomatic receptions, dinners, etc. by Foreign Missions, International Organisations, NGOS etc., unless the occasion has an official purpose. However, the acceptance of such invitation extended on the basis of personal contact should be with the approval of the Party Leader.
2.13 Your conduct whether at diplomatic or other receptions, meetings or functions should be characterised by the highest standards of decorum and dignity.
2.14 In accepting invitations for lunches, dinners or other forms of entertainment from businessman, other interest groups or NGOS you should exercise the strictest discretion so as to avoid any allegations of favoritism, undue influence and patronage which will diminish your standing and that of the Party.
2.15 When travelling into and out of Sri Lanka you should not seek by virtue of your office
to obtain exemption from compliance with customs and other such regulations. You
should always make every effort to establish your integrity and transparency.
2.16 Details of invitations for foreign travel from foreign governments, private organisations or NGOS, together with the terms and conditions offered and benefits accruing therefrom should be brought to the attention of the Leader of the Party and his prior approval obtained for the acceptance of any such invitation.
2.17 Your moral conduct and general behaviour in Sri Lanka as well as in foreign countries should be of the highest possible standard. You should at all times strive to maintain the humility, dignity, decorum, integrity and discipline expected of you by virtue of your office or your Party.