Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) conducted a workshop on the need for Right to Information (RTI) for socio-political advancement on September 14, 2010 at the Open University of Sri Lanka.
The workshop was conducted at the invitation of Dr. Prasanna Ratnaweera from the Department of Civil engineering and Mr. Dileepa Vitharana, two senior lecturers at the Open University as a part of the compulsory course followed by novice lecturers attached to the University.
Mr. Rukshana Nanayakkara (Deputy Executive Director, TISL) and Ms. Dilrukshi Handunnetti (Director – Advocacy, TISL) who attended as the two main resource personnel on behalf of TISL made presentations that focused on the concept of RTI, opportunities for RTI in Sri Lanka as well as case studies which depicted the benefits of RTI.
An Indian documentary compiled by Parivartan, a voluntary, not-for-profit civil society organization that championed the RTI cause in India, was also shown to the participants. The documentary highlighted the empowering nature of RTI and the fact that the true masters of a democracy is the general public.
Accountability of lectures to students and the education system as a whole was also discussed at the workshop. TISL was also invited for another session on a future date to address the senior lectures of the Open University on the importance of a Right to Information Act in Sri Lanka.
The workshop was attended by 23 participants and most of them did not have any conceptual knowledge of RTI prior to the workshop.