A transparency battle erupts as officials cite “personal information” to block disclosure of vehicle details linked to the former president’s office.
The Presidential Secretariat has declined to release the registration numbers of 68 vehicles transferred to its custody after the conclusion of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s term, despite a formal request made under Sri Lanka’s Right to Information Act.
The request was submitted by freelance journalist Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi, who sought details of vehicles handed over to the Presidential Secretariat after September 23, 2024. Among the information requested were the registration numbers of 68 vehicles reportedly connected to the former administration.
In a letter dated January 02, 2026, the Presidential Secretariat stated that the requested information could not be disclosed. The refusal was justified on the grounds that the details fall under the category of personal information as defined in Section 5(1)(a) of the Right to Information Act.
According to the response, releasing vehicle registration numbers would amount to an unlawful disclosure of personal data, even though the request related to state assets transferred to a public institution. The decision has raised fresh questions about transparency, public accountability, and the scope of exemptions under the RTI framework.
Commenting on the outcome, journalist Hettiarachchi said that while he eventually obtained some information under the Information Act after months of effort, authorities have consistently refused to reveal the registration numbers of the 68 vehicles in question. He noted that the denial highlights ongoing resistance within state institutions to fully comply with right to information requests, particularly where politically sensitive assets are involved.
The incident adds to broader public debate on access to information, government transparency, and the limits of disclosure under Sri Lanka’s RTI law.
