The United National Party today urged the Elections Commissioner to obtain asset declarations from presidential candidates before the next presidential election.

The UNP also stated that that the Elections Commissioner should uphold election laws and discharge his duties with diligence and impartiality.

“As Commissioner, Mr. Mahinda Deshapriya is constitutionally empowered to disqualify candidates who fail to abide by election laws. Three days after the nominations period ended cut-outs and posters of the candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa still litter the streets across the country. The material is giving rise to anger and contempt among the general public. Yet why does the Commissioner drag his feet? Why will he not put his words to action?” the UNP asked.

The people are crying out for a free and fair election, but the signs of such a clean, democratic battle are already fading. Mr. Commissioner, the ball is very much in your court. The decision of the people has already been made. The signs are visible everywhere. We urge you to take the strongest possible action against those candidates or parties attempting to thwart the will of the people. Nothing can stop the wave that has started against the inglorious rule of the incumbency, and if the Elections Commission stands in their way, the people will remember and condemn you for it.

You can decide to be a lackey of the incumbent, or you can choose to be a model democrat, a servant of the state, whose true masters are Sri Lanka's people.”

“The advertising campaigns and cut-out onslaught provides ample evidence of the spending power the regime commands. Where does this money come from? Who funds this mega-campaign? Does this money come from state coffers? Or is it the Rajapaksa campaign's personal funds? In which case, how did this president and his family coterie amass this quantity of wealth? Has President Rajapaksa submitted a declaration of his assets to the Commissioner of Elections? If the common opposition candidate can do so, and make his declaration publicly available, there is no reason why the incumbent should be exempt,” the main opposition party also added referring to the advertising campaign of the government.

“Without a doubt, the Rajapaksa regime has unleashed a multi-billion dollar campaign to ensure it does not lose its grip on power in January,” the UNP also said in a statement that was issued on Thursday.