He said there are sections that contradict the very essence of the Act in making information a public right.

Quoting Section 31 Kusal Perera said, the prohibition of using information obtained through provisions of the Act in public forums and in publications, defeats the purpose of having a Right to Information Act.

“If as this section says, granting access to any information does not constitute an approval or authorization for publication of that information, it denies journalists from using such information in their news reports and articles.” he explained.

Section 5 that goes under “Denial of Access to Official Information” is another is another of Kusal Perera’s concerns. He believes Section 5.1(c)iv should generate a special dialogue, at least within the trade unions, as the draft says, information on “stability, control and adjustment of prices of goods and services, rents and other costs and rates of wages, salaries and other incomes” will not be allowed as such disclosure prematurely could cause serious prejudice to the economy. “If this is the case, where the term “prematurely” could mean to say, before a decision is finally made, then trade unions will have no chance of agitating and negotiating on any wage demand. People will be forced to protest, only after the government decides on consumer prices. It serves no purpose in having a RTI Act, unless these clauses are changed.” He told 'Sri Lanka Mirror'.

Yet another concern raised by Kusal Perera is the absence of safety for whistleblowers. He said even the World Bank accepts such safety for whistleblowers in cases of corruption. “This Act is good, but that does not mean it can go without a serious social dialogue” he said.