The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has urged the government to fill the long-standing vacancy in the Right to Information (RTI) Commission without further delay.
In a letter to the Constitutional Council, the BASL pointed out that the post of Chairperson has remained vacant since the retirement of former Chairman, retired Supreme Court Justice Upali Abeyratne, in March this year.
The BASL stressed that the Chairperson’s role is critical to the effective functioning of the RTI Commission and the execution of its statutory mandate under the Right to Information Act, No. 12 of 2016. The absence of a Chairperson, it said, continues to hinder the commission’s ability to discharge its duties efficiently.
Calling the matter one of national importance, the BASL appealed to the Council to act without further delay and nominate the remaining member to fully constitute the commission.
The letter, signed by BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya and Secretary Chathura A. Galhena, reiterated the urgency of the matter and included excerpts from a previous communication dated 28 May 2025.
“We are confident that the Constitutional Council will be mindful of the public trust reposed in it and will make a most suitable and acceptable recommendation for the remaining vacancy,” the letter stated.
Full text of the BASL letter:
“We write further to our letter dated 28th May 2025 in relation to the above matter.
Unfortunately, this matter is still pending to date.
By our letter under reference, we here already brought to your notice and attention the urgency and national importance of this matter and for ease of reference the relevant excerpts from our letter are reproduced below:
‘We write to bring to your attention a matter of national importance in relation to the Right to Information Commission. As you are aware, the former Chairperson, Retired Supreme Court Judge Upali Abeyratne, resigned from his post on or about 9th March 2025, and since his resignation, no appointment has been made to fill this vital position.
The office of the Chairperson is integral to the effective functioning of the Commission and the fulfillment of its mandate under the Right to Information Act No 12 of 2016. The absence of a chairperson hampers the Commission’s ability to operate efficiently and discharge its duties as provided by the Right to Information Commission.’
We request you to take serious cognizance of this matter and to nominate the remaining member to fully constitute the Right to Information (RTI) Commission. We are confident that the Constitutional Council will be mindful of the public trust reposed in the Council and will make a most suitable and acceptable recommendation for the remaining vacancy,” said the letter signed by BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya and Secretary Chathura A Galhena.”
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