Speaker certifies COVID-19 (Temporary Provisions) Bill

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday certified the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (Temporary Provisions) Bill, bringing the provisions of the new legislation into operation.

The bill provides relief to those affected by disruption caused by the pandemic such as inability to perform contractual obligations or exercise contractual rights as well as to conduct Court proceedings using remote communication technology.

The provisions of the bill will be valid for a period of two years.

It will also provide relief to those who have obtained loans from licenced banks or finance companies, where such facility is secured, wholly or partially, against any commercial or industrial immovable property or against any plant, machinery, or fixed asset used for manufacturing, production, or other business purposes.

The bill was passed in Parliament without a vote on 17 August.