Presidential Secretariat declines to disclose names of media division officials under RTI

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

The Presidential Secretariat has informed social activist Anuruddha Bandara that the names of officials attached to the Presidential Media Division cannot be disclosed.  

In a letter dated July 4, 2025, addressed to Anuruddha Bandara, Senior Assistant Secretary to the President, G.P.H.M. Kumarasinghe, declined to reveal the names, citing that the requested information constitutes “personal information”under Section 5(1)(a) of the Right to Information Act No. 12 of 2016.  

However, the Presidential Secretariat disclosed that approximately 90 employees are currently working at the President’s Media Division, including a Director General, an Advisor, and six Directors.  

This information was provided in response to a Right to Information (RTI) request filed by Anuruddha Bandara, who had sought details regarding all designations at the Presidential Secretariat, along with the names of appointees, their salaries, allowances, and other benefits.