UNP Parliamentarian Eran Wickremeratne has expressed his disappointment at the fact that Sri Lanka is the only South Asian country without a Right of Information Act.

Speaking to Sri Lankan media, he has stated that Right to Information Acts have been introduced in almost all other states in South Asia. It gives the citizens of the country the right to obtain information on government activities, especially expenditure.

Meanwhile, in a recent TV interview, Wickremeratne had stated that the rationale behind UNP “Gaveshana Charika” were to obtain information which the public does not have a means to ask for, and share them with the public.

He has told that the reluctance of the government to introduce such an Act, despite several attempts by the UNP, shows the lack of transparency and lack of political will on the government’s side.

Meanwhile, President’s Council Dr. Jayampathi Wickremaratne has told 'The Nation' newspaper that in the Galle Face Case during the 2001-2004 UNP regime, the Supreme Court has determined that the Right to Information was a part of the Fundamental Rights of Freedom of Speech and Expression. The Supreme Court had then determined that for a citizen to express his or her ideas, basic information must be made available.