The country’s new Right to Information Act was unanimously approved by Sri Lanka’s 225-person Parliament earlier today, as lawmakers backed efforts to improve transparency and accountability in public institutions. The law will give Sri Lankan citizens the right to demand access to all public records, except for personal data, intellectual property, medical reports or information relating to national security, commercial or financial policy decisions. Media and Information Minister Gayantha Karunatillaka says that the new law will affect around 4,000 public institutions, and will require training around 8,000 officials to process information requests. It is anticipated that the law and its associated infrastructure will be fully operational within 12 months.

Sources: Salon; Daily Mail