Journalist Files FR Petition Over RTI Chairperson Vacancy

COLOMBO (News 1st); A fundamental rights petition has been filed before the Supreme Court urging President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to appoint a new Chairperson to the Sri Lanka Right to Information Commission, which has remained vacant for nearly six months.

The petition was jointly submitted by journalist Mithun Jayawardena and the civic organization Deyata Saviya. 

The petitioners have named the President, Presidential Secretary, Speaker of Parliament, members of the Constitutional Council, and the Attorney General as respondents.

According to the petitioners, the vacancy arose following the resignation of retired Supreme Court Justice Upali Abeyratne, who previously served as Chairperson. Despite the President being constitutionally empowered to appoint a successor, no action has been taken to fill the position or designate an acting Chairperson.

The petition highlights that the absence of a Chairperson has rendered the Commission unable to issue final decisions on information requests.

The petitioners are seeking a Supreme Court ruling affirming that their rights have been infringed and requesting an order directing the President and relevant authorities to appoint a qualified individual to the post without further delay.