The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has requested information regarding the failure of judicial officers—excluding judges—to submit their annual asset and liability declarations for 2024.
JSC Secretary H.S. Somaratne issued a circular to all High Court judges, who serve as department heads, instructing them to promptly provide details of officers under their supervision who have yet to comply. This directive also extends to district and magistrate courts.
The move aligns with the requirements of the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, which mandates the submission of annual asset and liability declarations. The JSC has specifically sought details on the number of officers, other than judicial officers, serving in each zone, as well as a breakdown of those who have filed their declarations and those who have not.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption previously wrote to the JSC in January, emphasizing the importance of ensuring timely compliance with asset declaration obligations each year.
Under the provisions of the Act, judicial officers and scheduled public officers appointed by the JSC are required to submit annual declarations of their assets and liabilities, along with those of their spouses and dependent children.
