EconomyNext:SriLanka: Friday,
March 03, 2017.
Proactive
disclosure is a key obligation of the Sri Lankan government under its new Right
to Information (RTI) law and existing laws preventing publication of
information from public authorities should be changed, a new study said.
The study by
the think-tank, Verité Research, together with Democracy Reporting
International (DRI), presents practical recommendations for the implementation
of the RTI Act.
“The success
of the Act will depend on how effectively it is implemented,” a statement said.
“Sri Lanka has many progressive laws that are yet to be implemented.”
Verité
Research and DRI said that although RTI supersedes all other laws, many
existing laws prohibit the supply and publication of information obtained from
public authorities.
“This can
result in the bureaucracy withholding information from the public,” they said.
“Hence, to ensure full compliance with the RTI Act, it is essential that these
laws are amended to align with the Act.
The default position of the bureaucracy should be one of openness.”
The study
said that proactive disclosure is a key obligation of government under the RTI
Act.
“The RTI Act
creates obligations on public authorities to proactively disclose information
to the public,” it said.
“This means
that the public should be able to obtain current information on government
services and spending without the need to file an RTI request. Regulations
under the Act require public authorities to publish and disclose certain
categories of information, such as their budgets, expenditures, organizational
functions, and annual reports, at no cost to the public.”
Verité
Research and DRI also said the process of drafting and passage of the RTI Act,
involving widespread consultation with civil society, media and government
officials, making it the third strongest in the world, should function as a
blueprint for future legislation.