More submissions made against Port City Commission Bill

Wednesday, 21 April 2021 00:22 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Supreme Court yesterday heard more submissions against the Port City Commission Bill with further hearing slated for today as well.

On behalf of Bar Association of Sri Lanka President Saliya Peiris PC and Secretary Rajeev Amarasuriya, submissions were made by Ikram Mohammed PC and Uditha Egalahewa PC. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe PC made submissions on behalf of Murutthettuwe Ananda Thera and Yasas Sri Nagasena.

Separately, Nagananda Kodituwakku too made submissions.

Today, intervening petitions will be heard and Additional Solicitor General Farzana Jameel on behalf of the Attorney General will make submissions tomorrow.

A five-judge Bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, P.B. Aluwihare, Priyantha Jayawardena, Murdu N.B. Fernando and Janak De Silva began hearing submissions on Monday appealing for the court to take action against the proposed Port City Commission Bill.

In total 19 petitions have submitted against the Bill including those by UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena, UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara, former Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MP Wasantha Samarasinghe, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), General Secretary of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Ranjith Madduma Bandara, and IT Professionals Association Chairman G. Kapila Renuka.

The Petitioners appealed for the court to find the Bill in contravention of the Constitution and have it withdrawn, or mandate it be passed with two-thirds approval of Parliament and require a referendum before becoming law.