The Island of 04/03 carries a photograph of Minister Mahinda Samarsingha handing over his assets declaration form to Kalutara Div. Secretary S. Hapuarachchi. In any other country this would be another routine matter and not news at all because in them the people obey the law. But in Sri Lanka where the law is observed more in the breach this is not only important news that calls for banner headlines but a big surprise and something for which the person who acted according to the law will be highly praised.

I am not sure who is responsible for ensuring that prospective MPs declare their assets before first entering parliament and periodically thereafter. Whoever it may be has miserably failed in his/her duty for the last six decades and been a Rip Van Winkle who never wants to awake.

I am at a lose to understand why at least the all powerful president doesn’t insist that at least the UPFA candidates declare their assets and thereby set an example and let the world know that they are all "honourable" men and women. This failure to declare assets leads to a proliferation of bribery and corruption among the politicians especially after they assume high office.

It is a great pity that those aspire to be the country’s leaders can so brazenly ignore the law even before entering parliament and expect to be called honourable MPs once elected.