The Parliamentary Business Committee has scheduled the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill for debate on Feb. 17, Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake said. The Bill will be passed on the same day, he said.
Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday said the Supreme Court found the bill consistent with the Constitution and ruled that it can be passed with a simple majority under Article 121(1).
This was following petitions by former MPs who argued the bill violated fundamental rights and required a special majority and referendum.
The bill, presented on Jan. 7 by Justice Minister Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara, aims to abolish pensions for former MPs. (Newswire)