Daily Mirror: Sri Lanka: Tuesday, September 18,
2018.
Compared to state institutions, the
private entities which come under ‘Public Authorities’ had shown less
cooperation to the process of Right To Information (RTI), National Media Centre
Director Jagath Liyanarachchi said yesterday.
Addressing a workshop held on promoting
RTI ahead of the RTI week, Mr.Liyanarachchi said private entities are of the
view that the RTI doesn’t apply to them.
“This is not what we assumed. These
private institutions had not even appointed an RTI officer. We thought there
will be resistance from the state workers to the process of RTI.
They have embraced the RTI with love.
State sector employees enthusiastically help those who apply for RTI
information. Even the politicians today use the RTI,” he said.
According to the Right to Information
Commission, private entities which come under Public Authorities include
private entities which work under contract, agreement, licence or a partnership
with the government and private entities which have been funded by the
government.
The NGOs which receive funds from the
governments of Sri Lanka or other countries should also follow the RTI Act.
The RTI week will be held from September
21 to 28 to make people aware about the use of RTI and the process of applying
for information under the RTI.