Supreme Court Clears Most of Anti-Corruption Bill

COLOMBO (News 1st); Speaker of Parliament today (22) announced that he had received the determination of the Supreme Court on the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill, which had been challenged before the country's highest court.

Delivering the determination to Parliament, the Speaker said the Supreme Court had found that most of the proposed amendments contained in the Bill are consistent with the Constitution and can be passed with a simple majority in Parliament.

However, the Court has determined that certain provisions of the proposed law are inconsistent with constitutional guarantees and therefore require a special majority in Parliament to be enacted.

The Speaker further stated that the Supreme Court had recommended the withdrawal of one proposed amendment, noting that if Parliament decides to proceed with it in its current form, it would require a special majority for approval.

The Court also ruled that another key provision of the Bill can become law only if it is approved by a special majority in Parliament and subsequently endorsed by the public at a referendum.

Accordingly, while the majority of the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill can proceed through Parliament with ordinary legislative approval, some provisions will require a higher level of constitutional approval before they can become law.