Govt to go ahead with Port Commission bill with amendments

The government has decided they will go ahead with the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill keeping with the Supreme Court determinations and amendments of the Supreme Court Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said. He said, accordingly the bill will be passed in the parliament with a simple majority.

 

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena earlier read out the summary of the Supreme Court ruling which held that some of the clauses to be passed needs to have a special majority or a Special majority and needs to be placed for a referendum or needs to be amended.

 

Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya and Supreme Court Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, Priyantha Jayawardene, Murdhu Fernando, and Janak de Silva heard the petitions. The two-day debate in Parliament on the Bill is due to be held on May 19 and 20.

 

The Opposition Chief Whip Lakshman Kiriella questioned the need to pass the bill this week in a hurry and wanted the debate postponed.