Sri Lanka's main opposition to discuss Right to Information Bill with the Speaker

Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) is to discuss the Right to Information Bill with the Speaker when parliament meets today. The UNP states that the Chief Opposition Whip is to hold a discussion on the matter with the Speaker.
The Opposition Leader has instructed the Chief Opposition Whip to table the Right to Information Bill in parliament once again since it is a recommendation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC). Issuing a statement, the party observes that the draft bill was first tabled by the Opposition Leader in July 2010 as a private member's motion, but was opposed by the Secretary General of parliament. The bill was once again tabled in parliament in September 2010 by the then UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya. However, the bill was withdrawn with the announcement made by the Chief Government Whip that the government was formulating a right to information act. The bill was once again presented in 2011 to parliament after the Speaker had informed that the UNP could submit the draft bill. When the bill was presented to the House on June 21, 2011 it was defeated in a vote. The opposition says the enactment of freedom of information legislation is bound to help preventing the rampant corruption in the country and empower the citizens.