Speaker of Parliament Jagath Wickramaratne today informed the House of two Supreme Court determinations delivered under Article 121 (1) of the Constitution, relating to key financial legislation.
First, the Court ruled that the Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Bill is fully consistent with the Constitution.
The Speaker said the Court had determined that “the Bill or any provision thereof is not inconsistent with any provision of the Constitution,” allowing the legislation to proceed without alteration.
Separately, the Supreme Court issued its determination on the Financial Transaction Reporting (Amendment) Bill, concluding that the Bill may be passed by a simple majority of Parliament, except for Clauses 22 and 39.
These clauses, the Court held, require a special majority unless amended as proposed. If the amendments recommended by the Court are adopted, Clauses 22 and 39, too, could be passed by a simple majority.
Both rulings were formally communicated to Parliament this morning, clearing the way for debate and passage of the two Bills. (Newswire)