Defending the Right to Information: The Sri Lankan Experience

The Sri Lankan experience in defending the right to information involves sensitizing citizens and journalists prior to enactment, influencing key decisions during enactment, publicizing the use of RTI post-enactment, and learning valuable lessons such as resetting power imbalances and the importance of gender sensitivity. Defending RTI is recognized as an ongoing effort that requires continuous awareness and action.

• Right to Information
• Sri Lanka
• Defending
• Lessons
• Awareness

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Uploaded on Jul 20, 2024 | 0 Views

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1. Defending the Right to Information: The Sri Lankan Experience

2. Prior to Enactment Sensitising citizens, journalists Legislative brief to all MPs Submissions before the drafting committee

3. During Enactment Part of the RTI Advisory Task Force of the Line Ministry influence key decisions Supporting the law in Court to oppose detraction Press release on Commission Appointments Launching trilingual website, with draft RTI form simplifying the process

4. Post Enactment Publicising the use of RTI consistent use Widespread awareness-raising Request facilitation, commission appearances Watchdog when other laws conflict with RTI Action when there is a threat to RTI

5. Lessons Resetting the power imbalance Opening up government Perceptions issue Proactive disclosure CSO use of RTI

6. Lessons Information/solution dichotomy Overall knowledge insufficient Importance of gender sensitivity Importance of understanding implementation not just theory in order to represent people People s awareness crucial in order to protect RTI

7. Defending RTI will always be a work in progress, but it will prove worth every effort.