Integrity Commission Clarifies Misinformation Regarding Defaulters List Publication

The Integrity Commission wishes to address the misinformation circulating in the public regarding the recent publication of the Defaulters List for specified officers who did not submit their 2022 declarations by June 16, 2023.  The Integrity Commission acknowledges the importance of fairness and transparency in its operations and is guided by the Commission’s Act No. 20 of 1997

The Defaulters List published on June 24, 2023, accurately reflected the information available up to June 14, 2023, and included those specified officers who failed to meet the declaration submission deadline. The Integrity Commission diligently followed its established procedures to inform specified officers of their obligation to submit their declarations, including sending declaration packages, extending submission dates, dispatching reminder letters, and publishing a paid reminder advertisement to emphasize the deadline.

It is important to note that the declaration submission deadline for the year 2022 (1st July 2021 to 30th June, 2022) was August 31, 2022 and a further extension was given to December 31, 2022. Specified officers who failed to submit their declarations by June 16, 2023, were appropriately listed as defaulters as mandated by the Commission’s Act No, 20 of 1997. Declarants who submitted after the cut-off period are now misguiding the public by implying that their compliance was not recognized.

The Commission is currently in the process of updating the records to include the declarations received after June 16, 2023. A revised list will be prepared as part of the second phase of the Commission’s mandate.

The Commission would like to emphasize the importance of specified officers submitting their declarations in a timely manner to avoid their names being published as defaulters. It is crucial for all officers to fulfil their obligations and adhere to the declaration submission deadlines set forth by the Integrity Commission.