RTI Draft Act – 2015: Concerns & Issues That Need To Be Addressed
By Kusal Perera -February 17, 2015
Kusal Perara
The draft copy of the Right to Information (RTI) Act – 2015 in English language (supposed to be ready in Sinhala and Tamil by 20 Feb) made rounds in private circles over a week ago. These comments and observations are made on that English draft and need serious attention from public interest groups and other concerned citizens, to achieve the objectives of a good RTI Act. Expecting positive response from such concerned citizens and groups and also expecting engagement from responsible policy making authorities too, let’s start from a very common conceptual flaw the draft is saddled with.
Most State and professional entities often fail to accept this country has a three tiered governing system since adopting the 13 Amendment in late 1987. That all, beginning with the President through PM, cabinet of ministers and parliament as the first tier in governance, Provincial Governors, Chief Ministers, provincial ministers and Provincial Councillors as the second tier down to the last Pradeshiya Sabha in the third tier are equally responsible to the citizens. They should be held accountable in all what they do in offices they hold, along with all officers working with and under them.
New Government’s Newest Milestone
By Maneshka Borham -February 17, 2015
Maneshka Borham
On 20 February the set task for the government according to its 100 Day program will be introducing to parliament the much awaited and fought forRight to Information (RTI) Bill. While previous attempts were made by a handful of Sri Lankan politicians to engage the parliament in introducing such a bill, it failed in two instances making Sri Lanka, along with Afghanistan the only two SAARC countries not to enact legislation giving its citizens the right to request information pertaining to actions of the government.
If therefore it is in fact for good governance that the new regime is gunning for, it is vital that it understands that freedom of information is a key component of transparent and accountable government.
In a post conflict society, establishing transparency in the public sector is a daunting, if not an overwhelming task. Therefore RTI laws can play a major role in achieving this target while ensuring good governance in a society.
Accusations have been many regarding governmental bodies being rife with corruption, nepotism and dominated by political control, while their policy making processes are often shrouded in secrecy, all of which can ideally be rectified by the introduction of RTI laws.Read More
