The NPP dominated Constitutional Council (CC) has refused to disclose the names of nominees and nominating organisations to a vacancy arising to the Right to Information Commission (RTIC) following interviews held on March 16th 2026, Colombo Telegraph learns.
Information requests to obtain the information filed by several journalists under the Right to Information Act (RTI Act) had been refused by the CC. Similar information had been released previously when appointments were made to the RTIC in the period of Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe as Presidents.
The CC comprises the Speaker (Chairman), the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition as ex officio members. Minister Bimal Ratnayake represents President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on the CC while five members are nominated jointly by the Leader of the Opposition and the Prime Minister.
Three members are supposed to represent ‘civil society’ with the current ‘civil society’ members being former Secretary, Ministry of Buddha Sasana Ranjith Ariyaratne, law teacher Wasantha Seneviratne and former Presidential Secretary Austin Fernando.
Political party affiliations linked to the NPP of at least two of the three civil society members have been alleged.
The remaining two members on joint nomination of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition are parliamentarians Ajith Perera of the Opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) and Aboobucker Athambawa (NPP, nominated by the Government majority in Parliament).
Parliamentarian S Sritharan has been nominated as the representative of minority parties. Earlier, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Illankai Thamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) had demanded MP S. Sritharan resign from the Constitutional Council (CC) following accusations that he continuously voted in favor of government-aligned decisions.
The refusal of the CC to disclose the names of nominees and nominating organisations comes in the background of controversy over the selection process in filling the vacancy to the RTIC earlier this year. Under the RTI Act, the CC has to consider nominations from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), media and civil society for three seats on the RTIC. The remaining seat and the selection of the Chairman is at the discretion of the Government/President.
The slot for the nominee of the BASL (prominent public interest attorney Ms Kishali Pinto-Jayawardena) and the slot for media/editors (former Court of Appeal Justice D.N. Samarakoon) were filled at that time.
Mid last year, President Dissanayake had appointed senior journalist Mr Daya Lankapura as Chairman of the RTIC last year after a furore over the Government’s attempts to appoint a politically tainted former Secretary, Ministry of Media, Nimal Bopage as Chairman. Former Vice Principal of Zahira College Mr N.M. Nahiya had also been appointed to the RTIC during former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s time.
The vacancy considered by the CC in March 2026 had been the nominee of civil society as the remaining seat of the five members RTIC.
Colombo Telegraph understands that three nominees had been put forward by civil society, namely senior academic Prof Arjuna Parakrama, former Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Mr Sunil Hettiarachchi and artist Ms Vasuki Jeyashankar. The CC had forwarded Mr Jeyashankar’s name to the President for appointment later in March 2026. Her appointment to the RTIC was made earlier this month.
Colombo Telegraph was told by civil society organisations which had nominated Prof Parakrama that he had been considered to be ‘too independent’ to be recommended. It is not known as to what position had been taken by the Leader of the Opposition, SJB party leader Sajith Premadasa or his party member, attorney Ajith Perera.
Prof Parakrama had been among those opposing the proposed education reforms of the Prime Minister as being shoddy and poorly thought out. The reforms were postponed after widespread protests by education rights bodies and trade unions, parents and teachers following unsuitable content being included in the proposed modules.
In recent weeks, several civil society organisations including the National Movement on Social Justice (NMSJ) had raised concerns about severe problems affecting the functioning of the RTIC. Senior law professor and former Chair, HRCSL Dr Deepika Udagama referred to the urgent need to appoint Commissioners with the ability to handle appeals. Questions were asked about the transparency of the CC process in selecting the nominee recommended for appointment.
The NMSJ also opposed government attempts to amend Sri Lanka’s RTI Act. Instead of changes, the NMSJ urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to resolve the RTIC’s chronic staff shortages and lack of resources. Activists have pointed to increased tendencies on the part of key State bodies including the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office to refuse information which had earlier been released under different Governments.
The RTIC has been hit with a spate of resignations this year. Attorney-at-law Jagath Liyanarachchi resigned in January 2026 with social media pointing to the lowest bracket of LKR 90,000/= paid to Commissioners as a reason. Justice D.N. Samarakoon resigned with effect from June 30th 2026.
Colombo Telegraph has been told that several appeals have been made to Commissioner Pinto-Jayawardena not to resign. This would paralyze the body with the RTI Act being a victory of media and civil society after two decades of struggle.
On Friday June 26th 2026, the CC published a Notice calling for nominations from the media to fill the vacancy arising from the latest resignation.
‘Why does the CC does not wish to disclose basic details about nominees to the RTIC? What does it have to hide? ‘ a journalist participating in the NMSJ discussion asked?
The Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA) has also reacted adversely to ‘political’ selection of nominees to the RTIC. It was the first to warn that the Government proposes to amend the RTI Act, accusing that this is due to the Act and the RTIC becoming a ‘threat’ to the NPP’s party machinery.
The Truth / June 29, 2026
No information on the nominee to Right to Information ! Hilarious ! Can only happen in the Subcontinent !
The Wijedasa Rajapaksa scandal has exposed the big gap between the pretense and the reality in Sri Lanka power structure.
Who is this man Wijedasa ? The name itself is rather village like. Many years ago we consulted him in Colombo on a legal matter. He came across as anxious to be accepted by society but clearly of low beginnings. Spoke terrible English.
Although he has a name like Rajapaksa he does not belong to that clan or group. Apparently from a very depressed group in the South.
Since Rohan 25 is an expert on South Asian migration we should ask our 25 to tell us Wijedasa origins in South India. What kind of group/caste does he come from ?
Does this clan think that by making money in whatever way, they can become respectable ?
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Rohan25 / June 29, 2026
I don’t dig into personal backgrounds for your amusement. Feel free to use a search engine for your personal trivia. I only discuss history when it highlights structural issues—like the fascinating psychology of people who belong to a specific ethnicity/race but denigrate their own and claim to be something else, to seem superior. My historical focus is on the origins and impact of bigotry based on race, class, caste and ethnicity, especially when it involves internalized prejudice. You are a very good example of this.
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SJ / June 30, 2026
“My historical focus is on the origins and impact of bigotry based on race, class, caste and ethnicity, especially when it involves internalized prejudice.”
Really?
Don’t tell me, was that what made you a bigot?
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Rohan25 / June 30, 2026
It is telling how quickly you side with oppressors the moment their history is examined. If my focus offends you, look in the mirror. Your outrage is a massive projection and a public self-report; you just admitted that a statement against bigotry feels like a personal attack.
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The Truth / June 30, 2026
Mr.. 25 minus, Very interesting how highly you assess yourself ! Most of your kind talk like this. But the truth is obvious when they are begging for a Visa to enter an European country.
Of course with your 25% white blood you don’t have this problem .Europeans beg you to come to Europe !
You don’t carry internalized prejudices , only externalized bias shown on your not so intelligent face !
Please enlighten us on why South Asian countries ,India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are not your preferred country ( you guys run to UK, Australia Canada claiming harassment in the home country)
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Rohan25 / June 30, 2026
My 25% white blood seems to be doing fine, but I’m deeply worried about your 100% pure hypocrisy. Is the London weather making it worse? You seem incredibly obsessed with percentages and visas. Did the UK immigration system traumatize you, or is this just a hobby? I might be 25% English, but you are currently 100% occupying a seat in London while telling others not to leave home. Make it make sense. You mention ‘externalized bias and ‘intelligence,’ yet you failed to realize your entire argument collapses the moment someone looks at your current zip code. I’d love to enlighten you on geopolitics, but I don’t want to distract you from your busy schedule of enjoying Western Europe while telling others to stay in South Asia. Bold of you to assume what’s on my face while yours is currently buried in a UK visa registry.
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Rohan25 / June 30, 2026
The irony of typing a lecture about South Asians running to the UK, while sitting in London. Did you fly there, or did your hypocrisy just carry you over? Fascinating analysis! Out of curiosity, did you mail that comment from Colombo, or are you currently enjoying the UK infrastructure you just complained about? Complaining about immigrants while being an immigrant in London is an elite level of self-awareness. Keep up the great work.
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The Truth / July 1, 2026
Mr 25—, The only thing I want to complain of is the heat here ! It has got hotter since our cool Mr. 25 went to Australia to colonize that continent and to civilize the Aborigines with his superior character.
Yes, you can envy my lifestyle, it is very comfortable and far more harmonious with reality.
You guys argue based on who you are. If you are a Chinese ,Mao is great, Chinese food super and yellow is the color ! Everything is looked at from the point of Chinese interests.
Yes I have benefitted from European culture. Yes I live here.
Does that mean I have to ignore what South Asian migration means to Europe ? It is harmful to this far superior culture.
Just look at a guy like Leela in Germany. It mocks the solidity of that admirable country
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The Truth / June 30, 2026
Rohan, Are you the same caste as Wijedasa ? Our dear Leela is a close relative of his
What does your son want to do as a grown up ? Meet shady people in Dubai ?
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Rohan25 / June 30, 2026
Your outdated snobbery merely masks your insecurities. While you track family trees to feel relevant, we prefer assessing people by character and merit. But it is fascinating to see what some people still rely on. Well, Dubai is the financial hub of the world, so if he wants to manage multi-billion-dollar funds, he might! But don’t worry, I’ll tell him to avoid the ‘shady’ parts you seem so familiar with. He actually wants to build a future based on merit and global success. I know that concept might feel a bit foreign to you. He wants to live in the 21st century. It’s much cleaner than living in the feudal past
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The Truth / July 1, 2026
Outdated, really 25 ?
Your theory is that All Sinhalese are from Tamil Nadu .
Wijedasa is a Sinhalese.
Since he is a Sinhalese he must belong to a caste.
Where did this caster originate in Tamil Nadu ?
If it is outdated, you must be peddling old nonsense.
The Sinhalese came from North India, period
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DIL / June 29, 2026
Kishali Pinto Jayawardena is a very biased lawyer who is not suitable to be a RTI Commissioner IMO.
Unfortunately, it’s very hard to find independent free thinking lawyers in SL as the culture of the elitist blue and green culture has prevailed over the years. Laterly, those two cultures have mixed with the lure of power and money derived from drugs and corruption. The vicious circle ran with making more money via crony capitalism, manipulating the stock market and engaging in scams. Those who benefited reaped their rewards whilst so many others who were good people also converted due the massive amounts of money circulating. Reversing this trend requires the right people and finding those is indeed a challenge.
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leelagemalli / June 29, 2026
Dil,
A government should be judged by the same standard it demanded of its predecessors. Before coming to power, today’s leaders promised a “system change,” affordable vehicles, lower living costs, efficient public services, and a new political culture free from excuses and blame.
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS9Pr3F-B40
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Nearly eighteen months later, citizens have every right to ask where those promised results are.
When leaders who once ridiculed others now ask public servants to accept essentials like rice on a leasing basis instead of delivering lasting economic relief, people should question whether this is the transformation they were promised. Accountability means measuring performance against promises; not against the failures of previous governments.
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Whataboutism is not governance. Continuously pointing to the mistakes of former administrations does not reduce the cost of living, improve public transport, solve waste management, create jobs, or restore public confidence.
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Every administration inherits challenges, but every administration also asks the public to judge it on its own achievements. The same principle must apply today. Citizens who voted for change deserve honest answers, measurable progress, and leaders who accept responsibility instead of shifting the conversation to the past whenever they are confronted with unmet promises. Real system change begins with accountability, transparency, and results; not slogans.
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Pandukabaya / June 29, 2026
Dils, laundry washing for the red brigade again? Stop your rot. It is because of slaves like you that this country cannot progress. ‘Elite lawyers of the red and blue colours’ ? Tisaranee Gunasekera and Kishali Pinto Jayawardena were the only two public opinion writers against MR regime. Her criticisms of RW have been unsparing. Biased? Maybe only to your red blocked ears!
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DIL / June 30, 2026
Read before you retort, I did not state or imply that Kishali belonged to any of those two camps, I have no proof of that, except about her being biased.
You definitely appear to be in one of those camps to label me a red brigade, I am certainly not and will support anyone who is doing the right thing. I can see that the right thing is being done now wrt the economy, law and order etc, but nothing is expected to be perfect and time is required for clean up. Now people can understand why this country did not progress all these years and ended up in bankruptcy and how dare you talk up such a shameless past.
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leelagemalli / July 1, 2026
Pandukabaya,
.
Today, the Prime Minister herself has stated that she does not depend on any reports published because the majority of them are incorrect.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhZfbo3A-vA&t=190s
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At the same time, Deputy Minister Lakmali Hemachandra questions whether their JVP secretary, Tilvin Silva, may have said it incorrectly. There is no consistency in the cabinet, similar to the level of montisori children. Why is that? If they are all highly educated? What more can the foolish people do today besides break the coconunt and demand divine wrath.
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Pandukabaya / June 30, 2026
Your comment shows your own bias as a slave and boolicker of the red brigade. No proof, he says now!
What a joke! ‘The right thing is being done re law and order and the economy’? That must be for you and others of your slave mentality. People are suffering because of the incompetence of your party, they do not have three meals to eat. Law and order? What about the corruption of Lalkantha, Wasantha S and other JVP thugs? Where are the corruption probes?
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DIL / June 30, 2026
You must be an alien living in dreamland. SL is progressing in spite of all hurdles and this is indicated by all reports. Live in your own cocoon and cry whilst the rest of the country is moving forwards, those rogues and murderers are being rounded up daily and people are going about their daily lives freely without fear or fervour. Happiness is abundantly clear and some LOSERS are upset, very upset. Sorry, what to do dear, so soo sorry, you had your time and brought about bankruptcy.
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Pandukabaya / July 1, 2026
No one is saying, do not talk about SL’s bankruptcy brought about by the Rajapaksas, you unmitigated mutt.
‘Unbiased commentators’ – unlike you, I may add, in fact HAVE spent years living in the country and writing against MR under their own names – not writing under false names from foreign countries – at risk of their lives.
They also criticise AKD equally – when criticism is called for. That is the point made by @leelagemalli. Clear your brain to understand that. I doubt if you can do so.
That is unlike you hailing AKD as a saviour – and showing your own bias. Nuff said. No point engaging with slavish fools who do not live in SL and bootlick for the red brigade except to give them the return which they deserve.
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leelagemalli / July 1, 2026
My dear Pandu@
Despite the obvious proof that these men are inexperienced, not even in an African or Latin tribal nation, there are still a lot of foolish representatives of the masses who dare to say, “AKD is the best president the country has ever elected”: That speaks everything about our commentators, both inside and outside of CT-forum.
Time to rejoice, hilarious!
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