TISL quashes concerns over RTI Bill

By Manjula Fernando

Transparency International of Sri Lanka (TISL) rejected concerns that the Right to Information (RTI) Bill may have an adverse effect on national security.

Senior Manager of TISL Shan Wijetunga said, there was ample provision in the RTI Bill which was now before Parliament, to protect national security and the concerns were without any basis.

"We consider this as a Bill of public interest and seek everyones' support to pass it in Parliament," Wijetunga said, adding that it has safeguards followed by other countries to protect information relating to national security.

"It has been identified as one of the seven best RTI bills in the world by independent observers," he said.

The Bill as it is, will not provide access to information within the Central Bank and the Attorney General's Department. According to Wijetunga moves were afoot to challenge this before court. "However, this will not compromise information which concerns national security," he stressed. The Cabinet approved the draft Bill early December last year and it was tabled in Parliament on March 23.