Stakeholders call for stronger implementation of RTI

• Marking second year of the landmark legislation, organisations say State institutions need to respect RTI more 
• Want ability to appeal to higher court if Information Commissioner refuses application

Media stakeholders yesterday hailed the passage of the Right to Information Act (RTI) as an important measure to promote transparency and called for its wider implementation, especially in appealing a higher court to get information refused by an Information Commissioner.

Journalists Forum for Right to Information considers that, in the recent past, the implementation of the Right to Information Act is one of the most important measures taken to empower the citizens of this country. Any citizen can seek and obtain information from public institutions making use of this act. This citizen empowering act completes its second year this month, a statement released by the Press Institute said.

The Editors Guild of Sri Lanka believes that, during the past two years, media organisations, civil society and Sri Lankan citizens are satisfied in the implementation of the Act although there are criticisms.

Citizens have been able to obtain this right through relentless struggle for many decades of media and civil organisations. Therefore, the responsibility of keeping the right to information lies with the citizens, civil society and media activists.

“In the journey towards creating a society with democracy, good governance and transparency and to protect the fundamental rights of every citizen, it is imperative that the people, the civil society and media organisations ensure that this Right to Information Act is safeguarded and further strengthened,” it added.

The contribution of the parties concerned, including the Commission to strengthen the RTI Act in the past two years, has been commendable. However, it has to be pointed out that, in the event of non-implementation of a judgment issued by the Information Commissioner, there is no system yet established to get redress from a higher court; this has to be rectified.

“We also observed that some State institutions had failed to respect the right of information. For the purpose of protecting the gains won over the past two years, the Journalists Forum for Right to Information requests all stakeholders to respect and to use the RTI with confidence and commitment.”