RTI Act applicable to MPs, and they are expected to abide by the laws at all times - Appeal Court says in a landmark ruling

The Court of Appeal yesterday held that provisions of the RTI Act are also applicable to the Members of Parliament 

The Secretary General of Parliament had filed an application challenging the Right to Information Commission’s decision that the information requested by a journalist should be released to him.   

The Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justices Sampath Abayakoon and P. Kumararatnam upheld the Right to Information Commission’s decision that the information requested by a journalist regarding the names of Parliamentarians who have tendered their assets declarations should be released to him.  

The Court of Appeal noted that the RTI Act should prevail over the provisions of the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law.

The Court of Appeal said it would enable people to know the names of the Members of Parliament who have tendered their declaration of assets and liabilities.   

Justice Abeykoon in his ruling said that providing the list of names of the Members of Parliament who have tendered their declaration of assets and liabilities as required by law is not disclosing the information they have provided in the declarations.  

Justice Abeykoon said that the Members of Parliament are persons who are elected by the people and maintained by the people, and they are expected to abide by the laws of the country at all times and provide examples for others to follow.