What is RTI
The Right to Information (RTI) is a right which allows citizens access to information held by Public Authorities, including information which might not be personally relevant to them. People have a basic right to access necessary public information and, in Sri Lanka, the Constitution provides the Right of Access to Information under Article 14 A. The Right to Information Act No. 12 of 2016 outlines the steps that need to be followed when requesting public information, such as which officials should be approached and what kind of information can and cannot be accessed.
The term ‘Public Authorities’ includes- government ministries, government departments, public corporations, local authorities, any institutions created by a Provincial Council, non-governmental organizations, institutes of higher education, private educational institutes and all courts, tribunals and institutions created to serve justice.
The Act also requires that Public Authorities maintain up-to-date records so that information can be distributed to the public in a timely and efficient manner.
RTI promotes transparency among Public Authorities by holding them accountable to the public. In this way, by actively engaging with the Act and participating in governance on a daily basis, citizens can lead the charge against corruption.
Countries around the world have granted this right through constitutional provisions and as a legal right, although to various extents. However, they are all guided by the basic values which regulate Freedom of Information Law.
These values are:
The RTI law is unique because although there may be certain kinds of information which cannot be revealed to the public, there are special provisions which may overrule this. The Public Interest Override ensures that, if the benefit of revealing information to the public is greater than the benefit of concealing the information, then the information has to be released. Therefore, there is a significant benefit to citizens’ who exercise their right by making a request.
RTI empowers the citizens of Sri Lanka to exercise their democratic right to public information and works towards reducing corruption among Public Authorities by promoting transparency and accountability, both of which are essential for good governance and democracy..