Host of events to celebrate RTI Week

Special mobile units raising awareness on the Right to Information Act are due to tour in Jaffna during the RTI Week declared to mark the International Day for Universal Access to Information, the Finance and Mass Media Ministry announced.

 “We have organised various events for the entire week, specially the mobile service to raise the awareness of RTI in Jaffna District. We want people to use this opportunity and establish good governance, which will eventually help boost the economy,” saidMinistry of Finance and Mass Media Additional Secretary J.M. Thilaka Jayasundara.

The week, commencing today, will be packed with different awareness programs, she said. 

The Government has organised street dramas to be enacted in front of the Colombo National Hospital and Fort railway station on the opening of the week following the screening of short films at the Tharangani Theatre, Jayasundara said.  An open public discussionwill be held at the Government Information Department with the participation of invited foreign speakers to share the experience of their countries, she said.

“On the final day (28 September) an international conference will be held at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre and the President and Prime Minister will also be present,” she added.

The total budget allocated for the projected exceeds Rs. 6 million. Two international aid organisations will fund part of the program, Jayasundara said. 

National Media Centre Director Jagath Liyana Arachchi said the RTI Commission handled 976 appeals so farthis year. A summary of the RTI request will be released January next year, he said.