Court of Appeal rules private television broadcaster subject to RTI Act

The broadcaster declined to disclose the requested information, prompting the matter to be taken before the Right to Information Commission of Sri Lanka.

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The Commission ruled that the broadcaster falls within the definition of a “public authority’ under Section 43(g) of the RTI Act and is therefore required to disclose certain information. Dissatisfied with this determination, the broadcaster filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal challenging the Commission's decision.

A two-judge bench of the Court of Appeal comprising Justice Dr. Sumudu Premachandra and Justice R. Gurusinghe upheld the decision of the RTI Commission. The court observed that a private entity or organization carrying out a public function or service under a licence issued by the government or its agencies could be treated as a “public authority” under the RTI Act.