Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dayasiri Jayasekara has submitted a Private Member’s Bill to Parliament seeking to prohibit political parties from claiming the salaries, allowances, and vehicle permits of MPs as party funds and resources.

The Bill notes that obtaining monthly salaries, allowances, and vehicle permits of public representatives by political parties undermines the independence of elected MPs and poses a challenge to democracy itself.

This newly drafted Bill has been included in Parliament’s latest Order Book and is scheduled to be taken up for debate on a future date.