Economic Times: New Delhi: Friday, March 20, 2015.
In a major
step towards political reforms, Sri Lanka has taken cue from India and hopes to
introduce Right to Information Act (RTI) through a Constitutional Amendment
that is likely to come in place on April 22.
The
government hopes to introduce what erstwhile Rajapaksa government failed to do
during its decadelong rule to empower Lankan citizens through the 19th
amendment of the Lankan Constitution aimed at political reforms. The Sirisena
government had promised sweeping political reforms including reverting to Parliamentary
form of government.
The 100-days
program of Sirisena includes the passing of a RTI in Lanka. The issues of
political reforms, democracy, strengthening and freedom of institutions were on
the agenda of discussions between Modi and cross section of Lankan leadership
when the PM was in Colombo last week, according to diplomatic sources.
Colombo's proposed Right to Information Act has been inspired by India, sources
indicated. India had passed RTI Act in 2005.
"No
restrictions shall be placed on the right declared and recognized by this
Article (Article 14A), other than such restrictions prescribed by law as are
necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security,
territorial integrity or public safety. In this Article, "citizen"
includes a body whether incorporated or unincorporated, if not less than
threefourths of the members of such body are citizens," according to the
draft 19th Amendment.
Official
sources from Colombo told ETthat the Rajapaksa regime had initiated to have RTI
Act in 2010 but could never introduce the Law. The regime was known for
controlling flow of information and its autocratic way of functioning. The
high-handedness of the former President's family members was among key reasons
behind the defeat of Mahinda Rajapaksa last January, sources recalled.
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