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Govt. to present RTI Bill
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By Sandun A. Jayasekera
Days after the government rejected UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya's private members Bill on ‘Right to Information (RTI) presented in Parliament the government announced that it would draft a Bill to ensure the right to information, to enhance the press freedom and participatory democracy.
Cabinet spokesman, Environment Minister Anura Priyadharshana responding to a journalist on the rejection of the private members Bill on ‘Right to Information’ presented by UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya by the government said Mr. Jayasuriya had presented the Bill without discussing it at the party leaders meeting or obtaining the consent of the party leaders.
The government does not hesitate to strengthen the freedom of expression, press freedom or right to information at any stage. We have been discussing the issue of right to information for a long time. The government expects to discuss this with all the stake holders including the media, civil society, and political parties to obtain their point of view and incorporate them in the new Bill,” Minister Yapa told at the weekly cabinet news briefing.
“The right to information Bill initiated by the government is in the drafting stage. The government would present it in Parliament shortly after consulting all sections,” he said.
Minister Yapa said the government does not want to reject the private members’ Bill presented by Mr. Jayasuriya.
“In fact we want to study the Bill and are ready to incorporate non-controversial and progressive clauses in the new Bill. This government is for press freedom and we have never attempted to suppress it. The government has to incorporate few other proposals in the Bill and submit it in parliament shortly,” Minister Yapa said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Jayasuriya told Daily Mirror that the private members’ Bill presented in Parliament on Tuesday had the Speakers’ approval.
“The Bill was discussed at the party leaders’ meeting. Speaker Mr. Chamal Rajapaksa approved the Bill and instructed to put it in the Order Paper and present it in Parliament as a Private Members’ Bill, Mr. Jayasuriya stressed.
Mr. Jayasuriya presented the ‘Right to Information Bill’ for the second time in Parliament on Tuesday but the government rejected it and refused to debate it saying that it was not necessary as the government has already initiated the process. (Daily Mirror)
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