Speaker claims no court can judge P’ment resolution

Speaker of the Parliament, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, has stated that no court established under the Constitution is authorized to issue orders or judgments against a resolution already passed by the Parliament. 

 

 

He made this declaration in response to a privilege issue raised by Tourism and Lands Minister Harin Fernando regarding petitions filed against a resolution on domestic debt restructuring that the Parliament had approved. 

 

 

The Speaker referred to Article 4(c) of the Constitution, emphasizing that the Parliament shall exercise the people's judicial power through the courts except in matters relating to the privileges, immunities, and capabilities of the Parliament and its members. 

 

 

Abeywardana also mentioned a past ruling by former Speaker Anura Bandaranaike, asserting that the courts cannot interfere with parliamentary proceedings. 

 

 

Therefore, he stated that any court order or judgment against a resolution passed by the Parliament would violate the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act.