DailyMirror
Chief Justice Asoka de Silva said that the public should have the right to freedom of information and question the ministers on what they do.
He said attempts to introduce legislation to this effect had been prevented by a former parliament.
Chief Justice Asoka de Silva stated this when addressing the launch of ‘Justice’ magazine (released by the Ministry of Justice) held at the Supreme Court complex at Hulftsdorp yesterday.
He pointed out that such legislation would have provided transparency with regard
to the transactions of the government and held the ministers under an obligation to be answerable for what they do.
“It is pertinent to note that the public should have the right to information — which is called access to information. When public has the right to information it can preclude lot of criticism because where there is access to information there is transparency in the transactions that are taking place,” said CJ Asoka de Silva.
Referring to previous attempts to introduce legislation with regard to freedom of information, the CJ said attempts to introduce legislation to this effect had failed and the draft had lain inactive since 2005.
“The Law Reforms Commission proposed free access to information in 2001. This was approved by the Cabinet in 2003, but it was not passed in the parliament. However, in 2005, again, a draft legislation was considered by the Law Reforms Commission and it is still at that stage,” said the CJ.
“This draft places certain obligations on the ministers for freedom of information. A minister is duty bound to notify the public, of the work that they are doing, from time to time. It also requires a minister to appoint a press officer to provide information to the public,” the CJ added.
Minister Milinda Moragoda, who also addressed the gathering, said that the magazine would create a platform for healthy debate on legal and policy issues, and educate the public on legal matters. He appreciated the work done by Mr. Lalith Allahakoon as editor of the magazine.
Speaking at the occasion, Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara said that the legal system in the island could be traced back to ancient times. He said the revived magazine, in its first issue, had created a debate on enforcing capital punishment in Sri Lanka.
The ceremonial re-launch of Justice magazine was held at the Supreme Court complex, under the patronage of Chief Justice J.A.N. de Silva.
‘Justice’ was originally founded by Justice Dr. A. R. B. Amarasinghe, a former judge of the Supreme Court, and released in 1983. The magazine has been revived by an editorial team headed by the former editor of ‘Daily Mirror,’ Mr. Lalith Allahakoon, after a lapse of several years. The Norwegian Refugee Council and the International Organization of Migrants (IOM) have sponsored the magazine.
A copy of Justice magazine was ceremonially presented to Chief Justice J.A.N. de Silva by Justice and Law Reforms Minister Milinda Moragoda.
Among the others who participated at the event were Suhada K. Gamalath Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, Judges of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, other law courts, and lawyers.