Transparency without inclusion: Civil society experience of e-Governance in local government institutions in Ratnapura district, Sri Lanka

Local government institutions constitute the foundational arenas of democratic governance. Although Sri Lanka’s local government system has created opportunities for ordinary citizens and marginalized groups to take part in decision-making, these spaces are now facing new challenges with the rise of e-governance. This study takes a closer look at the tension between transparency and exclusion in Sri Lanka’s transition toward digital governance, with particular focus on how local government institutions operate in the Ratnapura district. This research explores how digital governance tools such as open data outlets, online citizen service platforms, and participatory digital forums impact political inclusion and exclusion patterns. It was observed that even though digital governance tools facilitate engagement due to transparency and integrity pledge databases, civil society actors still come across structural barriers, namely limited digital proficiencies, inequality of infrastructure access, and bureaucratic hindrances that undermine meaningful participation. Transparency often proceeds from being a democratic deed to a technical one. The study argues that without intentional strategies to include marginalized voices, digital governance can reinforce existing power hierarchies and deepen political exclusion at the local level. By situating the Ratnapura case within broader discussions on e-governance, civil society, and democratic legitimacy in Local government institutions, this research highlights the importance of understanding transparency not merely as the disclosure of information but as an inclusive process that empowers citizens and strengthens participatory accountability.