June 02, Colombo (LNW): The nation’s foremost body of legal professionals has called for immediate action to address a critical leadership gap at the helm of the Right to Information Commission.
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has issued a formal communication to the Constitutional Council, expressing grave concern over the continued vacancy of the position of Chairperson of the Commission, a post considered integral to safeguarding citizens’ access to public information.
The letter, jointly signed by BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya and Secretary Chathura Galhena, underscores the urgent need to restore full operational capacity to the Commission, which has been without a Chairperson since the departure of retired Supreme Court Justice Upali Abeyratne on 9 March 2025.
In the absence of a new appointment, the Commission’s ability to discharge its legal duties, particularly those involving oversight and enforcement of the public’s right to information, has been significantly impaired.
The Right to Information Act, enacted in 2016, outlines the Chairperson’s central role in leading the Commission’s deliberations, issuing directives, and ensuring administrative accountability. Without a properly appointed Chairperson, the BASL argues, the Commission is unable to function with the effectiveness and credibility that the law requires.
This vacancy, the BASL notes, comes at a time when public interest in governmental transparency is increasingly urgent, with citizens relying on mechanisms like the RTI Commission to obtain answers on matters of governance, accountability, and public expenditure.
The lack of leadership at the top, they caution, risks eroding public trust in the very institutions designed to protect democratic rights.
The letter calls upon the Constitutional Council, which is constitutionally mandated to advise on key appointments to independent commissions, to fulfil its obligation without further delay.
The BASL stressed that recommending a suitably qualified and independent candidate for Presidential appointment would be a strong affirmation of the state’s commitment to openness, accountability, and the rule of law.
