31 Petitions Challenge Constitutionality of Controversial Anti-Terrorism Bill

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka conducted the fourth day of hearing on the petitions filed against the Anti-Terrorism Bill that was submitted by the government to the Parliament. 

The hearing was presided over by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, and Justices Vijith Mallalgoda, A.H. M. D Nawaz, Shiran Gunaratne, and Arjuna Obeysekera.

The Attorney General has been named as the respondent in the petitions.

So far, approximately 31 petitions have been filed with the Supreme Court demanding that certain clauses of the Anti-Terrorism Bill termed as unconstitutional.

His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Samagi Jana Balavegaya General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Jathika Jana Balavega Member of Parliament Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress General Secretary Nizam Kariyappar, Center For Policy Alternatives, Socialist Youth Union, Frontline Socialist Party Secretary Duminda Nagamuwa, Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, Ceylon Teachers Union, and others filed these applications with the Supreme Court challenging the Anti-Terrorism Bill.