Civil society leaders and activists call for more changes to RTI Commission

A group of civil society organisations and leaders have issued their second statement on the appointments to the Right to Information Commission calling for inclusion of representatives from minorities as well as reconsideration on the choice of Chairman. 

Following is the full statement issued by Transparency International Sri Lanka Executive Director Nadishani Perera, People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi, Centre for Policy Alternatives Executive Director Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Law & Society Trust (LST) Executive Director Dr. Sakuntala Kadirgamar, Centre for Policy Alternatives Senior Researcher Lionel Guruge, Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) National Coordinator Manjula Gajanayake, Right to Life Human Rights Centre Executive Director Philip Dissanayake, Viluthu Executive Director Maithreyi Rajasingam, Food First Information & Action Network of Sri Lanka (FIAN) President Thilak Kariyawasam and National Deshodaya Assembly National Organiser Nishantha Preethiraj:

“The passing of the RTI Act was not only eagerly awaited by the people of the country, it also proved to be a turning point in the social and political situation in our country. The adoption of the legislation can also be seen as a victory for the civil society of the country who strive to create a more apolitical system of democracy and governance in the land.

“With the tenure of the first RTI Commission coming to an end earlier this year, a new RTI Commission was appointed. The appointments were made by the President based on the recommendations of the parliamentary council, as set out in the 20th Amendment to the Constitution.

“As a group of individuals who have been working to ensure the right to information of the citizens of the country, our attention was focused on the appointment of the new RTI Commission. We signed the earlier press release to indicate that the newly-appointed Chairman of the Commission was unsuitable to hold the position. This stance remains unchanged and was the primary focal point of the earlier press release.

“We also wish to clarify our stance regarding the composition of the RTI commission. We reiterate that the composition of the commission needs to ensure representation of minorities as well as individuals who are natively fluent in all official languages of the country. The recent resignation of one of the appointed commissioners provides an opportunity for the administration to rectify this situation. Our earlier press release was not meant to be a rejection or protest against the other commissioners that have already been appointed.

“We are of the firm belief that in order to uphold the reputation of the RTI Commission as well as to protect the important work that it carries out, an individual of integrity who is well respected in society should take the helm of the commission as its chairperson.”