Civil Society Organisations urge Govt. to recommit to Open Government Partnership amid risk of expulsion | Daily FT
Sri Lanka faces imminent expulsion from the Open Government Partnership due to the government’s prolonged failure to submit a National Action Plan. This inaction contradicts the administration’s pledge for participatory governance and jeopardizes the country’s international credibility. The OGP requires active collaboration between state actors and civil society to co-create reforms, ensuring transparency and accountability. Without meeting specific participation standards within the allotted timeframe, the nation risks automatic withdrawal, signaling a significant regression in its democratic commitments. The crisis highlights the critical role of multi-stakeholder processes in maintaining open data and governance integrity. Previous legislative attempts to restrict civic space severely undermined trust, causing civil society to withdraw from co-creation efforts. Although the new government expressed willingness to repeal restrictive laws and re-engage, its silence on official communications demonstrates a persistent disregard for collaborative governance. This disconnect prevents the necessary alignment between policy rhetoric and practical implementation, leaving citizens excluded from decision-making processes that affect their lives. This situation is relevant to open data because it underscores that technical transparency is insufficient without genuine political will and inclusive participation. Open data initiatives rely on a supportive environment where citizens and civil society can actively engage with government information to hold power to account. If the state continues to ignore these partnerships, the potential benefits of open data—including improved public service delivery and anti-corruption measures—remain unrealized. Restoring Sri Lanka’s OGP status is essential for rebuilding the trust required for any meaningful open data ecosystem to thrive.
Source: ft.lkPublished on 2025-05-09
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