7 August 2026 – A special consultative meeting bringing together civil society representatives and key government officials of RTI commission and Ministry of massmedia was successfully held on 7 August 2026 at the Ministry of Mass Media Auditorium in Colombo. Organized by the Ministry of Mass Media, the high-level gathering focused on the crucial goal of extending the Right to Information framework directly to the grassroots level, enabling local communities across Sri Lanka to actively exercise their legal right to access public information and demand transparency.
The meeting brought together nearly 50 civil society leaders traveling from diverse regions across the island, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Mass Media and the Right to Information Commission. Discussions centered on bridging the gap between central policy bodies and rural populations, ensuring that the RTI Act functions as an effective, practical tool for everyday citizens rather than just an abstract legal provision.
Representing Malaiyaha community, Executive Director Anthony Jesudasan shared field-tested experiences and insights, highlighting the specific realities faced by the Malaiyaha community as well as other marginalized groups island-wide. He emphasized that for historically underserved populations, accessible information is directly linked to securing socio-economic rights, land entitlements, and public service delivery, making RTI an indispensable asset for social equity and local community development.
Overall, this collaborative initiative marks a major milestone toward building a robust, interconnected national network among civil society organizations and institutional bodies. By fostering closer cooperation between state authorities and local advocates, the initiative helps ensure that every citizen, regardless of geographic location or background, is empowered to seek information, participate in democratic governance, and hold public institutions accountable.
