Right to Information Bill is a Start to a Historic Journey – Dayasiri

The long awaited Right to Information Bill which is hailed the 7th best in the world was taken up for the second reading in Parliament yesterday.

The debate is scheduled to continue at 10.30 this morning.

Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera said  the Right to Information bill is a start to a historic journey.

The Minister said the bill has strengthened the 19th Constitution.

He said despite enacting the 19th amendment the government needs further assurances to implement the 19th amendment.

Minister Jayasekera said with the Right to Information Bill the public can obtain foregone data.

United People’s Freedom Alliance MP Chandrasiri Gajadeera says measures that will be taken against those who act contrary to the bill should be included in the Right to Information draft bill.

MP Gajadeera said the government claims that with the bill, the public has been ensured the right to information like in other south Asian countries.

However he said tabling the bill is insufficient, while the mechanism to implement it needs to be addressed.

The Parliamentarian also said the government is concerned of the implementation of the bill.