Speaker of the Parliament, Jagath Wickramaratne, says the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has determined that no provision of the President’s Entitlements (Repeal) Bill is inconsistent with the Constitution.
The Speaker announced that, as such, the Supreme Court states that the Bill can be enacted with the simple majority of Parliament.
He further said that the Supreme Court has rejected the petition filed challenging the Bill on the grounds that it had failed to comply with the mandatory provisions of Article 121 (1) of the Constitution, invoking the jurisdiction of the court.
Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne announced the determination of the Supreme Court while addressing the Parliament of Sri Lanka today.
Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara presented the President’s Entitlements (Repeal) Bill to Parliament on 07th August.
The Bill seeks to revoke the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986, and abolish special benefits granted to former Presidents, their widows, and retired Members of Parliament.
The proposed legislation, published in the Gazette dated July 31, 2025, would end entitlements including official residences, monthly allowances, secretarial support, transport facilities, and pensions for former Presidents and their widows.
Three petitions were filed at the Supreme Court challenging the Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill in terms of Article 121(1) of the Constitution. (Newswire)