RTI Bill held back for fine tuning to ‘please everybody’

The Government deferred introducing the long pending Right to Information ( RTI) Bill to Parliament this week as there were requests from civil society groups as well as media organizations, for more time to discuss the draft legislation, said Media Ministry Secretary Karunarathne Paranavithana.

The Bill was scheduled to be presented to the House on Feb. 20, but discussions were still continuing on a working draft of the RTI legislation that has been in circulation for two weeks, he said.

However, he said that legislation will be enacted within the 100- Day programme undertaken by the new Government. “Three ministries, namely, the Ministry of Media, Justice and Public Administration are in consultation with interest groups to ensure that the Law enacted will address all concerns and is best suited for the country,” Mr Paranavithana told the Sunday Times.

Along with the RTI Bill, an amendment to the Constitution too will be introduced, to make Right to Information a Fundamental Right.

The RTI law will afford every citizen the right of access to official information in the possession, custody or control of public authorities.

It will make it obligatory of public officials to disclose information when such information is requested by citizens, and is intended to enable all citizens to participate fully in good governance and contribute towards combating corruption in the country.

Information will be denied only in instances where there is a serious threat to national security, or the territorial integrity and defense of the nation, and in a few other instances that affect people’s privacy or the economy.