By Retired Supreme Court Justice Upaly Abeyratne has resigned with immediate effect as the Chairman of the Right to Information (RTI) Commission of Sri Lanka. His resignation letter was submitted to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on March 4, 2025.
A Resignation Surrounded by Controversy
While the exact reasons for his resignation are unknown, the departure of a chairman of an independent commission raises eyebrows, especially in Sri Lanka’s current political climate. The resignation of a high-ranking official from a constitutionally established body naturally invites speculation.
Justice Upaly Abeyratne himself has had a controversial past. His judicial career and previous roles in high-profile inquiries have often come under scrutiny. On the other hand, forcing the resignation of an independent commission’s chairman also fuels debate on the state of democratic governance and political pressure in Sri Lanka.
The Court of Appeals had issued a writ order quashing the recommendations and findings of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry that investigated Allegations of Political Victimisation, against a group of individuals, including incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Anura Kumara Dissanayake ,while a opposition parliamentarian . Upali Abeyratne was appointed by then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
How the RTI Commission Works
Under Section 12(1) of the Right to Information Act (RTI Act), the commission is made up of:
✅ Four commissioners and a chairperson, all appointed by the President based on the Constitutional Council’s recommendation.
✅ Nominees from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), media organizations, and civil society groups.
✅ A five-year tenure, with resignation or removal only on specific grounds.
The commission plays a key role in upholding transparency and accountability in governance.
Political Reactions & ‘Pissu Pusa’ Remark
The resignation has triggered political reactions, including former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who reportedly referred to the chairman that some have called him as “pissu pusa” (crazy cat)—. His remarks hint at deeper political tensions surrounding the RTI Commission and government transparency.
Who Is Left in the RTI Commission?
Following Abeyratne’s resignation, the remaining members of the RTI Commission are:
🔹 Kishali Pinto-Jayawardena – Attorney-at-Law (BASL nominee)
🔹 Jagath Liyanarachchi – Attorney-at-Law (civil society nominee)
🔹 A.M. Nahiya – Former public servant & ex-Vice Principal of Zahira College
With the quorum for meetings set at three members, the commission can still function, but the absence of a chairperson could impact its decision-making authority.
What’s Next?
The Constitutional Council and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will now have to appoint a new chairman to lead the commission. However, the circumstances of Abeyratne’s exit have raised concerns over the independence of key institutions in Sri Lanka.
As the nation watches, the biggest question remains: Was this a resignation by choice, or was there political pressure behind it?
