August 04, Colombo (LNW): The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has issued a renewed call to the Constitutional Council to urgently nominate the final member required to complete the Right to Information (RTI) Commission.
In a formal letter dated August 01, 2025, addressed to the Chairperson and members of the Constitutional Council, the BASL expressed serious concern over the continued delay in filling the vacant position.
The vacancy arose following the resignation of retired Supreme Court Justice Upali Abeyratne, the former Chairperson of the Commission, who stepped down in March 2025. Despite a previous letter sent by the BASL on May 28, 2025, the post remains unfilled.
Citing its earlier correspondence, the BASL reiterated the importance of the Commission in upholding the public’s right to information under the RTI Act No. 12 of 2016. It stressed that the Commission’s ability to function effectively and discharge its statutory responsibilities has been significantly hindered due to the absence of a Chairperson.
“The office of the Chairperson is integral to the effective functioning of the Commission and the fulfilment of its mandate under the Right to Information Act,” the letter stated. “The absence of a Chairperson hampers the Commission’s ability to operate efficiently and discharge its duties.”
Signed by BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya and Secretary Chathura A. Galhena, the letter called upon the Constitutional Council to act in the public interest and to ensure that trust reposed in the Council is honoured through a prompt and appropriate appointment.
The BASL reaffirmed its confidence that the Council would make a suitable and acceptable recommendation, and stressed the urgency of fully constituting the RTI Commission to safeguard citizens’ right to access information.
