Special seminar on RTI for MPs tomorrow

A special seminar will be held tomorrow (16) on the proposed Right to Information Bill for the Parliamentarians, the Prime Minister’s office announced today (15).

All the MPs are invited for the seminar which is scheduled to be held in Colombo, the statement added.

The seminar will be held with the participation of the PM and President Maithripala Sirisena.

The Right to Information draft bill was presented to Parliament by Minister of Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media Gayantha Karunathilaka on March 24. 

The bill had received positive responses from all nine provinces to go ahead. In terms of Article 153 (g) of the Constitution the Right to Information Bill was submitted to Provincial Councils for views which has been responded positively.

The bill provides for the specific grounds on which access may be denied, the establishment of the right to Information Commission, setting out the procedures for obtaining information and for matters connected. 

The introduction of the Right to Information Act was a key pledge in the 100-day work programme of the government.