Right to Information Bill tabled in House

The Right to Information (RTI) Draft Bill was tabled in Parliament this morning by Minister of Mass Media Gayantha Karunathileke.

In terms of Article 153 (g) of the Constitution the Right to Information Bill was submitted to Provincial Councils for views which has been responded positively, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday informed the Parliament. “Western, North Western, Central, Southern, Eastern, and Uva Provinces have agreed with the contents of this Bill. The three provinces Sabaragamuwa, North Central, and Northern Province have agreed subjected to amendments,” said Speaker.
 
The Cabinet Approval for the draft bill was granted on 2nd December 2015 and it was sent for discussion at the provincial level. Right to Information Bill provides for the specific grounds on which access may be denied, the establishment of the right to Information Commission, setting out the procedures for obtaining information and for matters connected.
 
The introduction of the Right to Information Act was a key pledge in the 100-day work programme of the government. The government during the 19th Amendment to the Constitution recognized the Right to Information as a fundamental right.