The final leg of the RTI campaign was in Colombo. The team comprised Sankhitha, Priya, Navodhanie, Hiran and Sanjit. The locations covered were
- Narahenpita
- Maharagama
- Nugegoda
- Kohuwela
The first location covered was the Labour Department in Narahenpita. The RTI truck was positioned outside, and the team engaged members of the public who were entering and exiting the premises. The context made for better engagement with individuals, as the ease or difficulty of getting their work done at the department was a convenient conversation starter. Many people were grateful for being informed about RTI, and were inspired to use it.
The Maharagama and Nugegoda markets were covered next. In both locations, the street drama was performed with remarkable success. In the drama, a bridge constructed by the local authority bursts, and some members of the village storm the LA to demand information about the construction process. The play was short and to the point, highlighting the way in which RTI can empower individuals and communities to demand accountability from government. The audiences engaged actively with the drama, and had many follow up questions. In Maharagama, two stallholders filed requests about the same issue – the closure of an access road to the market. The RTI team facilitated these requests.
The final location for the day was in Kohuwela. The street drama drew the attention of people gathered at the bus stand, and the RTI team continued the strategy of distributing dockets and engaging the public in conversations about the right to information.