Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti, came under intense scrutiny on Sunday night after he repeatedly refused to explain discrepancies in his official assets and liabilities declaration during a live broadcast of the 360 political talk show on TV Derana.
The controversy centres on a 44-perch plot of land listed in the Minister’s declaration without any indication of how the land was acquired or its estimated value, as required under anti-corruption regulations.
When questioned directly about the omission, Handunnetti grew visibly agitated. Rather than providing clarity, he challenged the host’s right to question him and suggested that any concerns should be referred to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
“If someone has a problem with an assets declaration, they can report it in writing to the Bribery Commission. If I start answering your question now, will you bring every politician’s declaration on the next 360 programme and question them all?” he said.
The host, however, pushed back, arguing that transparency and public accountability demand clear answers, especially from a Minister who has publicly endorsed the government’s anti-corruption stance and claimed to have submitted an accurate declaration.
“You have said the present government deserves credit for facilitating this process. If you are so confident in your declaration, why not allow me to ask questions about it?” the host said.
Tensions escalated further when the host cited anti-corruption guidelines requiring officials to disclose how assets were obtained — whether through purchase, inheritance, or gift — and to declare a fair market value.
“In your declaration, you mention a 44-perch land, but under the section asking how it was acquired, you have written ‘none.’ Under value, you have again written ‘none.’ Why is this information missing?”
Handunnetti offered no explanation for the missing details, repeating that dissatisfied parties were free to file a complaint with the Bribery Commission.
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