UNP wants Sectoral Oversight Committees open to media

• Says opening committee proceedings to media will promote transparency 

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday called on Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to open proceedings of Sectoral Oversight Committees to media as a measure to improve transparency and public engagement.

Speaking to media at Temple Trees, UNP Parliamentarian Prof. Ashu Marasinghe said the public has a right to know proceedings of Sectoral Oversight Committees.

“Allowing media to cover proceedings of Sectoral Oversight Committees will let the public know what we are doing in Parliament and their tax money spent wisely,” he said.

Prof. Marasinghe pointed out that parliaments in foreign countries allow media to cover committee proceedings to ensure the right to information of citizens. He noted such practices need to be implemented in Sri Lanka.

“Chairmen of all Sectoral Oversight Committees recently discussed practices of the British Parliament and how effective such practices are to ensure transparency.”

He noted opening proceedings of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to look into the Easter Sunday attack to media was a positive move and such practices will prevent spread of false information.