The Supreme Court has concluded hearings on petitions filed against the Government’s proposed Anti‑Corruption Amendment Bill, announcing that its confidential determination on the constitutionality of the draft law will be forwarded to the Speaker of Parliament and the President.
A total of 15 petitions were lodged challenging the Bill, which were examined over two days before a three‑judge bench comprising Justices Shiran Gunaratne, Mahinda Samayawardhena, and Sampath Wijeratne.
On Friday (04), after oral submissions concluded, the Court directed parties to file any written submissions by 12.00 noon on Monday.
The bench then announced that the Court’s confidential ruling on the Bill’s constitutionality would be communicated to the Speaker in due course.
The petitions were filed by several parties including former Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, the Media Law Forum, and Transparency International Sri Lanka.
Petitioners argued that the proposed amendments would curtail judicial power and infringe upon fundamental rights.
They requested the Court to rule that the Bill cannot be enacted without approval by a two‑thirds majority in Parliament and ratification through a referendum. (Newswire)
