The Right to Information (RTI) Commission has announced its decision on an appeal made by journalist Tharindu Jayawardena regarding the alleged purchase of expired teargas by the police and their use at recent protests.
The RTI yesterday (27) ordered the Police to release the relevant information before November 14.
The appeal was taken up by a RTI panel comprising retired judges Upali Abeyratne and Rohini Walgama, and lawyers Kishali Pinto Jayawardena, Jagath Liyanaarachchi and Mohammed Nahia.
It ruled the documents related to the purchase of teargas, technical evaluation committee reports, quantities of teargas fired at protests and the alleged use of expired teargas contain information of public importance.
If the police fail to release the information, the RTI said, it will file a case against the police and the relevant officers in the magistrate’s court under Section 39 of the RTI Act.
