Daily Mirror: Sri
Lanka: Wednesday, 30 July 2025.
A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed before the
Supreme Court seeking an order directing the President to appoint an acting
Chairperson to the Right to Information (RTI) Commission.
Journalist Mithun Jayawardena along with the Deyata Saviya organisation filed the petition, naming President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Secretary to the President, the Speaker and the members of the Constitutional Council as respondents.
The petitioner states that the position of Chairperson of the RTI Commission has remained vacant since March this year, leading to a suspension of inquiries into information requests. The petitioner argued that it has resulted in the violation of the Fundamental Rights of both the petitioner and the general public.
The petition further stated that no appointment has been made since the resignation of Retired Supreme Court Judge Upali Abeyratne on March 9, 2025.
The Chairperson's role, as defined under the Right to Information Act, No. 12 of 2016, is essential for the effective functioning of the Commission and for upholding the public’s Constitutional right to access information.
Journalist Mithun Jayawardena along with the Deyata Saviya organisation filed the petition, naming President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Secretary to the President, the Speaker and the members of the Constitutional Council as respondents.
The petitioner states that the position of Chairperson of the RTI Commission has remained vacant since March this year, leading to a suspension of inquiries into information requests. The petitioner argued that it has resulted in the violation of the Fundamental Rights of both the petitioner and the general public.
The petition further stated that no appointment has been made since the resignation of Retired Supreme Court Judge Upali Abeyratne on March 9, 2025.
The Chairperson's role, as defined under the Right to Information Act, No. 12 of 2016, is essential for the effective functioning of the Commission and for upholding the public’s Constitutional right to access information.
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