Public interest on the RTI is low

November 25, 2024

Development - Provincial

Public interest on the RTI is low – Media Minister ^Featured

June 27, 2016

Public interest on the recently passed Right to Information Act is less than expected as it doesn’t affect the consumer prices, according to the Minister of Parliament Reforms and Mass Media Gayantha Karunathilake.

He pointed out that Sri Lanka has passed the 7th best RTI bill in Asia, and it is the 2nd best such act in South Asian region after the India.

Addressing media this morning in Colombo he added that, a period of nearly one year will be needed to fulfil the basic requirements before the Act is implemented for the public to make use of it effectively.

Minister Karunathilake also explained the behaviour of the Rajapaksa regime regarding the RTI bill when they were in the power. “Normally, a government should pay attention on an RTI in their second term in office. But our new government passed it within the first 1 ½ years of its 1st term”, Minister said.

According to the Minister, the RTI is expected to be a very useful and a historic Act, which will bring a major political transformation in the country.