TISL "disappointed" in Pres. Secretariat appeal against RTIC order

COLOMBO (News 1st): Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has released a statement regarding the decision made by the Presidential Secretariat to appeal against the order issued by the Right to Information Commission (RTIC). TISL states that it is "disappointed to learn of the decision made by the Presidential Secretariat to appeal against the order issued by the Right to Information Commission, directing the disclosure of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s assets and liabilities declaration for 2015/2016". The initial applications for the asset declarations of the President and Prime Minister were filed in February 2017. The President’s Office had refused to disclose the information requested, prompting TISL to appeal to the RTIC. In their statement following the Commission’s ruling, TISL recognized the right of the Presidential Secretariat to appeal the RTIC order. TISL also highlighted the fact that such a challenge would undermine the President’s stated commitment to transparency and accountability, and the government’s commitment to ensure the public’s right to access asset declarations.