To create awareness among public of the Right to Information

The Finance and Mass Media Ministry has organized a range of events to mark the ‘World Right to Information Day’ (RTID) that falls today.

The highlight of the even was the RTI week organized by the Information Department to create awareness among the public, professionals and school children that ran from September 21 to 28.

The RTID is celebrated annually around the world on 28 September. Queensland, Australia marks this occasion by acknowledging the contribution of the Right to Information Act 2009 (RTI Act) to facilitating greater and easier access to governmentheld information.

Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Media, Mrs. J.m.thilaka Jayasundara told journalists that Sri Lanka was the first in Asia to introduce one of the most progressive, democratic and results oriented RTI Act in 2016 and 3rd in the world.

“It is not possible to protect the rights of the people, ensure a transparent public service, corrupt free administration and safeguard the concept to good governance without RTI Act which was enacted in Sri Lanka in 2016,” Mrs. Jayasundara said.

She added that people must have good knowledge in the RTI to enjoy the benefits of it and the government has already appointed Information Officers at 90% of State institutions to provide information promptly to those who seek them.

Mrs. Jayasundara said street dramas, workshops, seminars, screening of films and conferences had been organized by the Information Department in all parts of the country to educate the public.

Director General Information, Sudharshana Gunawardana said the Press Complaints Commission (PCCSL) of Sri Lanka had received 116 complaints in 2017 and 76 of them were falling within the ambit of the PCCSL under the Editors’ Guild’s cord of ethics and resolved.

Director, National Media Center, Jagath Liyanarachchi said in a participatory democracy, the public has the access information on any subject, matter of function of the government and it was mandatory to provide information.

“The people can seek the legal redress up to the highest legal body, the Supreme Court to obtain information,” he added.

Director, Media - Finance and Media Ministry, K.p.jayantha also took part in the news briefing.