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Act No. 12 of 2016

Access to information is your right.

Learn, in plain language, how to request information about government decisions, public funds, services and projects.

How to make a request Get the official forms Official RTI website ↗

What is this right?

Article 14A of the Constitution of Sri Lanka and the Right to Information Act No. 12 of 2016 give citizens the right to obtain information that is held by, or is under the control of, a public authority.

TransparencyGovernment decisions and spending can be examined by the public.
AccountabilityYou can ask for the reasons behind delays, unfair treatment or irregular action.
ParticipationYou can contribute informed views on public policies and projects.

Remember: You are not required to say why you need the information. This right belongs to every Sri Lankan citizen — not only to journalists or lawyers.

Who can request, and from which institutions?

Any Sri Lankan citizen can make a request. An organisation in which at least three-quarters of the members are Sri Lankan can also make a request.

State institutionsMinistries, departments, state corporations and statutory bodies.
Local institutionsProvincial councils, municipal councils, urban councils and pradeshiya sabhas.
Other relevant bodiesCompanies in which the state holds 25% or more shares/control, courts, certain educational institutions, private bodies performing a public service, and relevant non-governmental organisations.

Information you can request

Under the Act, "information" includes not only documents but many kinds of records.

  • Files, letters, emails, notes and circulars
  • Decisions, recommendations, instructions, agreements and tender documents
  • Budgets, expenditure, payments, audits and statistics
  • Maps, plans, photographs, audio, video and computer records
  • Reports, samples, models and certified copies of existing documents

A good request: Instead of asking for a fresh explanation such as "Why did this happen?", ask for existing records: "Please provide the report, recommendations and the written reasons relating to that decision."

Steps to make a request

  1. Identify the correct institution. Choose the institution that actually holds the information you need.
  2. Find the Information Officer. Check the institution's website or the official list of RTI officers. If no officer has been appointed, the head of the institution takes on that role.
  3. Write the request clearly. State the document, the time period, the project and the language/format you want. You may use form RTI-01, but it is not compulsory.
  4. Submit it and keep proof. Deliver it by hand, by post or by accepted email. Keep the receipt, the postal slip and all copies.

If you cannot write, you may make the request orally. It is the Information Officer's duty to record it in writing and to help you frame the request correctly, free of charge.

Deadlines and fees

14 working daysTo notify the decision on the request.
A further 14 daysTo provide the approved information.
Up to +21 daysWhen searching large/remote records, with reasons given.
48 hoursFor an urgent request concerning life or personal liberty.

Fees

Submitting a request is free of charge. A prescribed fee may be charged for copying the approved information or supplying it on a medium. The first 4 A4 pages, information provided by email, and information received through a successful appeal are free. An excessive fee can be appealed.

When information can be refused

Not all information must be provided. Under Section 5 of the Act, access may be restricted to protect privacy, national security, foreign relations, sensitive economic decisions, trade secrets, medical or professional confidentiality, criminal investigations, the independence of the judiciary, privilege, examinations and certain internal/cabinet deliberations.

Reason in writingSaying only "confidential" is not enough. The specific legal ground must be stated.
Public interestIf the public interest in disclosure is greater, information may be provided even where an exemption exists.
Partial releaseIf the confidential part can be separated, the remaining information must be provided.

If you are not satisfied with the response

You can appeal if there is a refusal, a missed deadline, incomplete/incorrect information, an excessive fee, a refusal of the format requested, or a reasonable suspicion that records were hidden or altered.

  1. Appeal to the Designated Officer. Use form RTI-10 or a letter. Because the original text of the Act says 14 days while the Commission's FAQ says 21 days, submitting within 14 days is the safer way to protect your right. The decision must be given within 3 weeks.
  2. Go to the RTI Commission. If you are not satisfied with the Designated Officer's decision, or receive no response, appeal within 2 months in person or by registered post. Email alone is not sufficient.
  3. Court of Appeal. A party not satisfied with the Commission's decision may go to the Court of Appeal within one month of being notified of the decision.

With your appeal, attach copies of the original request, the receipt, the responses received, the fee notices and any earlier appeals. A lawyer is not compulsory before the Commission.

Sample request letter

To: The Information Officer, [Name of institution] Subject: Request for information under Act No. 12 of 2016 I request that the following information be provided: 1. [State the required document or information clearly.] 2. [State the relevant year or time period.] 3. [If known, state the project, location, agreement or file number.] I request that the information be provided in [Sinhala/Tamil/English] [by email / as printed copies / for inspection at the office]. Name: Address: Telephone number: Email: Date and signature:

Frequently asked questions

Is form RTI-01 compulsory?

No. An ordinary letter or email containing the necessary details is sufficient.

Do I have to state why I need the information?

No. Only when requesting the 48-hour urgent process should you state how it relates to life or personal liberty.

What if I receive no response?

That itself is a ground for appeal. Once the prescribed time has ended, appeal to the Designated Officer.

What if only part of a document is confidential?

If it can be separated, the confidential part is masked and the rest must be provided.

What if the officer refuses to accept the request?

Note the name, date and what happened, resend it by registered post or email keeping proof, and afterwards appeal to the Designated Officer.

Legal note: This page is a general guide prepared in plain language for public awareness. It is not legal advice for an individual case. If a deadline is near or the matter is complex, obtain suitable legal advice.