Update:
SC concludes hearing into Port City Economic Commission Bill
Lakmal Sooriyagoda
The Supreme Court yesterday concluded arguments put forward in support and against the proposed Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill.
Accordingly, all parties relating to the Special Determination petitions were directed to submit their written submissions before next Tuesday.
Later on, the Supreme Court’s determination over the proposed Bill is to be communicated to the President and the Speaker.
The Supreme Court five-judge-Bench comprised Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya,
Justice Buwaneka Aluwihare, Justice Priyantha Jayawardena, Justice Murdu Fernando and Justice Janak de Silva.
Nineteen petitions had been filed against the Colombo Port City
Economic Commission Bill. They are by; Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara, SJB Parliamentarian Harshana Rajakaruna, former JVP Parliamentarian Wasantha Samarasinghe, UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena, UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara, Oshala Herath, Dr. Ajantha Perera, Jeran Jagatheesan who contested the 2020 General Election under the UNP ticket, President of BASL Saliya Pieris, PC, BASL Secretary Rajiv Amarasuriya, Engineer Kapila Renuka Perera, Centre for Policy Alternatives and its Executive Director Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL), Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera, G.S. Shyamalee, Nagananda Kodituwakku, Rajika Kodituwakku and Trade Union activist Lesley Devendra.
The petitioners are seeking a declaration that the Bill in whole or in part requires the approval by people at a Referendum and requires a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
Meanwhile, eleven intervention petitioners including Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Attorney-At-Law Sagara Kariyawasam, Athula de Silva, SLPP Lawyers’ Association, Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Secretary to the Cabinet Ministers have sought the Court’s permission to present their submissions, in support of the Bill.
President’s Counsel K. Kanig-Ishvaran, M. Sumanthiran, PC, Uditha Egalahewa, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC, Counsel Eraj de Silva, Darshana Weraduwage and Chrishmal Warnasuriya, appeared for the petitioners.
President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva with Palitha Kumarasiri, PC, Sanjeewa Jayawardena, PC, Gamini Marapana PC, Navin Marapana, PC and Kushan de Alwis, PC appeared for the intervenient petitioners.
Additional Solicitor General Farzana Jameel with Senior Deputy Solicitor General Nerin Pulle appeared for the Attorney General.