Nominations called for Right to Information Commission

The Constitutional Council has called for nominations of eligible persons to the Right to Information Commission to be established under the recently passed Right to Information (RTI) bill.

Under the provisions of the Right to Information Act No. 12 of 2016, nominations are called for the Right to Information Commission from the organisations of publishers, editors and media persons and other civil society organisations.

According to the announcement issued by the Acting Secretary General of the Constitutional Council, the nominated persons should have distinguished themselves in public life with proven knowledge, experience and eminence in the fields of law, governance, public administration, social services, journalism, science and technology or management.

Further, the nominees should not be Members of Parliament, any Provincial Council or a Local Authority representatives or hold any public or judicial office or any other office of profit, or be connected with any political party, or be carrying on any business or pursuing any profession.  Nominations should be sent to the Constitutional Council before 11th August 2016.

The RTI Bill passed in parliament on 24th June, calls for the establishment of the “Right to Information Commission”.

The Commission shall consist of five persons appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Constitutional Council. One person each will be nominated by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, organisations of publishers, editors and media persons and other civil society organisations. Persons who are distinguished in public life with proven knowledge, experience and eminence in law, governance, public administration, management etc. will be appointed to this Commission. The Commission shall monitor the performance of public authorities and information officers.