The Supreme Court today commenced hearings on a series of petitions filed against the government’s proposed Anti‑Corruption Amendment Bill, which was recently presented to Parliament.

The petitions are being examined before a three‑judge bench comprising Justices Shiran Gunaratne, Mahinda Samayawardhena, and Sampath Wijeratne.

A total of 14 petitions have been lodged, including one by former Minister G.L. Peiris. 

Petitioners argue that several provisions in the Bill violate fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution, particularly the sovereignty of the people.

They further contend that the proposed legislation curtails the right to information, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

The petitioners have requested the Court to determine that, if the Bill is to be enacted, it must secure approval by a two‑thirds majority in Parliament and also be ratified through a referendum. (Newswire)

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Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the proposed Anti‑Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2026, warning that the changes represent a major policy regression and undermine constitutional safeguards.

The petition, lodged on August 31, argues that several clauses of the Bill are inconsistent with Articles 1, 3, 4, 12, 13, 14(1)(a), 14A, 126, 140, and 156A(1)(c) of the Constitution. 

TISL contends that the amendments infringe on the sovereignty of the people, restrict the Right to Information Act, and impinge on judicial power.

Among the most contentious provisions:

• Clause 4 removes judicial oversight on accomplice prosecutions, allowing the Director‑General of CIABOC to decide whether to refrain from prosecuting accomplices without magistrate authorization.
• Clauses 6 and 18 raise the threshold of state shareholding from 25% to 50%, exempting many state‑linked companies from asset declaration requirements despite their control over public assets.
• Clause 7 repeals the requirement to declare assets of cohabitants, creating loopholes for concealing illicit wealth.
• Clause 11 grants CIABOC broad redaction powers and criminalises the use of redacted asset declarations beyond formal submissions, punishable by fines or imprisonment.

TISL warns that these changes would severely restrict civic space, journalism, and free media, creating a chilling effect on freedom of expression guaranteed under Article 14(1)(a). 

The petition also challenges provisions making bail the exception and remand the norm, arguing they are vague, overbroad, and violate proportionality principles.

TISL has urged the Supreme Court to determine that the contested clauses cannot become law unless passed by a two‑thirds majority in Parliament and approved by the people at a referendum. (Newswire)

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