RTI Act to come into force from Feb 3, says Lankan Minister

Sri Lankan Minister of Parliamentary Reform and Mass Media Sri Lanka's Mass Media Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka has said that Right to Information (RTI) Act will come into force from February 3 and would enable people to obtain any information from the government.

Karunathilaka made these remarks at a special meeting with Information Commission Chairman, committee members and media ministry members at the parliament premises yesterday.

The speaker of Sri Lankan Parliament had certified the RTI Bill on August 4 last year as having been duly passed by Parliament.

The RTI Bill became a law with this certification.

The Colombo Page quoted Karunathilaka, as saying that every citizen in the country will get their right to know the information they need from any government institution.

The Minister, however, noted that some information harmful to the national security, national economy, examinations, foreign trade agreement negotiations, personnel details, details of medical reports would have restrictions.

He said the information can be obtained by the people in the three official languages.