News
TISL calls upon public authorities to commit towards more transparency

The Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) on Wednesday called upon public authorities to commit towards more transparency on International Right to Know Day.
A TISL statement said: Former American President Abraham Lincoln once said “Let the people know the facts, and the country will be safe”. The statement denotes that a country’s well-being is likely to depend on how accessible its information is. International Right to Know Day was initiated to create an international discourse on access to information and to make it a part of the general civic consciousness. Later, the United Nations declared September 28 as the International Day for Universal Access to Information.
Celebrating International Right to Know Day, as Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) also marks its 20th year of contributing to the collective effort to fight corruption in Sri Lanka, is especially significant. TISL has continued to walk with citizens in their RTI journey, striving to ensure and protect the right to information, since its operationalization in Sri Lanka.
The right to information is the strongest available tool in the fight against corruption, due to the obligation it places upon public authorities to be accountable and responsive to citizens through a mandatory legal mechanism. As such, International Right to Know Day is not a day merely for celebration, but a moment to create wider and deeper knowledge on the right, and for public authorities to reflect on whether they are truly serving this sovereign right of the citizens.
Countries around the world have adopted this right through legal provisions, placing obligations upon public authorities to various extents. In Sri Lanka, 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 Right to Information Act places an obligation on these authorities to provide information to citizens efficiently and transparently. Adhering to the provisions of the Act can promote transparency and accountability of these institutions and empower citizens to exercise their democratic rights.
Further, providing information before it is requested, i.e. proactive disclosure, is one of the foremost aspects of open government and of the right to information. The Right to Information Act mandates public authorities to disclose such information, imposing a duty on each public authority to publicly disclose budgetary information, procurement details, project reports and information on significant decisions and acts via websites or other means. Sri Lanka continues to fall far short of this standard of transparency and accountability.
The recent spate of citizen agitation in Sri Lanka was a collective response to the culture of opacity and corruption within State institutions and government. This has led to a heightened awareness and keen interest among the populace regarding key elements of anti-corruption including the importance of information in the fight against corruption, of how corruption flourishes in conditions of secrecy, of publicizing the asset declarations of public representatives, etc. as never seen before. As a consequence, there is now heightened pressure upon the public service and on politicians to demonstrate the practice of accountable governance.
Our country is at a critical juncture both economically and socially. It is irrefutable that this is the result of corruption. To effectively overcome this crisis, it is vital that the people must be empowered with information by public authorities. Therefore, it is essential for public authorities to take steps to be efficient, open and proactive in disclosing information. On this International Right to Know Day, TISL calls upon public authorities to look upon the right to information positively and commit to continuous improvement towards more openness. TISL’s wish for International Right to Know Day is to see citizens be part of a culture that is able to seek, receive and use information without fear or hesitation.
News
Southern Expressway land leased to Rajapaksa allies for Rs. 10,000 – Minister

Leader of the House and Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake told Parliament yesterday that a service area on the Southern Expressway had been leased for 99 years to individuals linked to the Rajapaksa family for just Rs. 10,000.
Responding to questions raised by Opposition MPs Rohitha Abeygunawardena and Ajith P. Perera, Minister Rathnayake also claimed that the Rajapaksa associates had obstructed the construction of several other approved service areas along the expressway.
He said that the Southern Expressway project suffered from serious irregularities, including deviations from feasibility studies, which he said led to the wastage of billions of rupees.
Highlighting specific discrepancies, the Minister pointed to the construction of two interchanges that were not part of the original expressway blueprint.
“One is at Kapuduwa, just 5 km from Godagama in Matara, serving only traffic to and from Colombo. The other is at Bedigama, 6 km from Beliatta,” he said, adding that each interchange cost over Rs. 10 million to build.
By Saman Indrajith
News
Hike in bus fares if Israel-Iran conflict results in higher fuel prices

A hike in private bus fares could be on the cards next month if global fuel prices continue to climb as a result of the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, according to Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) President, Gemunu Wijeratne.
Wijeratne told The Island yesterday (20), that the annual bus fare revision, scheduled for the 1st of next month, could lead to a revision in fares, should fuel prices in the global market remain on an upward trajectory.
He said that while fuel prices are already high due to the prevailing geopolitical tensions, the Association is cautious about pushing for a fare increase immediately, warning that such a move could adversely affect the industry in the current economic climate.
However, Wijeratne emphasised that if international fuel prices stabilise and remain at their present levels, a fare hike may not be necessary.
“The situation is being closely monitored. We hope that the global market stabilises, but if fuel prices continue to rise, we will have no choice but to adjust fares accordingly,” he added.
By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon ✍️
News
Committee probing alleged abuse of power by IGP approves inclusion of two additional witnesses, currently abroad

The Committee of Inquiry investigating allegations of gross abuse of power by IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon convened for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday, under the Chairmanship of Supreme Court Justice Preethi Padman Surasena. The Committee also includes Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawala and E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake, Chairman of the National Police Commission, the Parliament Media Division said.
It said that as of Thursday, 28 prosecution witnesses have testified before the Committee, including seven on that day (Thursday).
The Committee has also approved the inclusion of two additional witnesses, currently abroad on official duty, to testify after their return to the country on 26 June. This request was submitted by Additional Solicitor General and President’s Counsel Dileepa Peiris, and Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera, representing the Attorney General’s Department.
Attorney-at-Law R.S. Weerawikrama, appearing on behalf of IGP Tennakoon, gave his consent for the two witnesses to be summoned for examination and cross-examination upon their return. The Committee granted the request.
Although initially scheduled to reconvene yesterday (20), proceedings have been postponed to Monday, 23 June, following a request by Weerawikrama to allow additional time to prepare the IGP’s defence. With the Attorney General’s Department not objecting, the Committee approved the postponement.
The next sessions will be held from 23 to 25 June, commencing at 9:30 a.m. daily. During this period, 15 witnesses are expected to testify on behalf of the Respondent IGP.The Committee will reconvene again at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, 26June, following the conclusion of the defense’s witness testimonies.
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