According to a senior official of the Commission, the Parliamentarian who held the post of External Affairs Ministry Monitoring MP in the former government was charged at the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court for failing to declare his assets and liabilities under Section 9 of the Act.

He said the Commission conducted a full scale inquiry into complaint received against the Parliamentarian and the relevant details with regard to Commission's inquiry were submitted to the court.

Parliamentarian Gunawardena was questioned by the Commission officials on a number of complaints over accumulation of money, corruption and bribery. The Commission also recorded a lengthy statement from Gunawardena over his assets and liabilities and the statement has also been produced to the court.

A person who fails to make make declaration of assets and liabilities as required by the provisions of the Act, shall be guilty of an offence and he or she is liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand rupees or an imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both fine and imprisonment.

The Commission official said that investigations into other complaints received against MP Sajin Vass De Gunawardena are continuing. )Courtesy: DN)