AG proposes committee stage amendments to the Covid 19 bill

June 18, 2021

The Attorney General today informed Supreme Court that the government intends to introduce certain amendments to the proposed bill titled “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) (Temporary Provisions)" at the committee stage in Parliament. Senior Deputy Solicitor General Nerin Pulleappearing for the Attorney General made these remarks when a Special Determination petition filed challenging the constitutionality of the “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) (Temporary Provisions)" bill was taken up for hearing. The Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justice Murdu Fernando, Justice Yasantha Kodagoda and Justice A.H.M.D. Nawaz fixed the petition for further hearing tomorrow (18). Attorney-at-law Aruna Laksiri had filed this petition seeking a declaration that certain clauses of the bill require the approval of people at a referendum and require a two-third majority in Parliament. The petitioner stated that the bill titled “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) (Temporary Provisions)" was published in a gazette notification issued on May 20, 2021, and has been placed on the Order Paper of the Parliament on June 8, 2021. Aruna Laksiri had filed this Special Determination petition in terms of Article 121 of the constitution claiming that powers have been incorrectly concentrated to the Minister in certain instances, even though the bill is critically important in the current scenario. The petitioner said Section 3 and section 11 of the Bill are contrary to Articles 3, 4 (d), 12(1) and 106 of the Constitution. The petitioner said the provision of the bill under section 3.1 to assign alternative courts where a court cannot function due to Covid-19 circumstances is contrary to the constitution.

AG proposes committee stage amendments to the Covid 19 bill

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