The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has called for the urgent appointment of a new Chairperson to the Right to Information (RTI) Commission, warning that the extended delay is severely impacting the commission’s ability to operate effectively.
In a letter dated August 1, the BASL urged the Constitutional Council to act without further delay and nominate the final member required to fully constitute the commission. The chairperson’s post has remained vacant since the resignation of retired Supreme Court Judge Upali Abeyratne on March 9.
Nearly five months later, no successor has been appointed. The BASL, in a letter signed by its President Rajeev Amarasuriya and Secretary A. Galhena, described the role as “integral” to the functioning of the commission and to fulfilling its obligations under the Right to Information Act No. 12 of 2016.
This is not the first time the BASL has raised concerns about the matter. A previous letter was sent to the Constitutional Council on May 28, but the issue remains unresolved.
“The absence of a chairperson hampers the commission’s ability to operate efficiently and discharge its duties,” the BASL stated, stressing that a structurally incomplete commission cannot fulfill its mandate to safeguard public access to information.
Describing the vacancy as both urgent and of national importance, the association urged the Constitutional Council to take “serious cognisance” of the issue. The BASL expressed confidence that the Council, entrusted with public confidence, would soon make a “most suitable and acceptable recommendation” to fill the vacancy without further delay.
