TISL to support existing RTI bill

Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) said it will definitely support the Government to pass the Right To Information (RTI) Act bill in its present form.

Speaking at a media briefing TISL Executive Director Asoka Obeysekara claimed several groups of people who are unfamiliar with international RTI Acts have tried to build fear around the bill.

“There were no such articles included to put barriers to reveal information over international agreements such as ECTA. There were no mentioned punishments for media personnel if they revealed information about the state, but it has given a massive opportunity for public and media to accumulate information,” he noted.

Obeyasekara also said the bill should be improved in six areas which were required to strengthen the right of people to information.

According to the TISL, five petitions had been lodged at the Supreme Court against the RTI Act and the Court has considered the legal arguments made by TISL along with several civil society organisations which stressed that the RTI bill was totally constitutional.

TISL said the Supreme Court will inform of its decision to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya within the coming week.

TISL Advocacy, Communication and PR Senior Manager Shan Wijetunge noted that in the last two decades each Government had made several attempts to enact the RTI Act in the people’s interest, but failed. Wijetunge stated adding regulations for the Government would be the importance of the RTI than other bills.

Accordingly, if the RTI act is implemented all the state owned institutions are answerable to public and responsible to provide required information within 14 days. They can extend the given period up to 21days, but if unable to provide information within the period public can take legal action against them.

However people should submit an information application before request information from Government institutions. 

(CG)