PARLIAMENT

On April 26th, 2023, at the beginning of the Parliamentary session, the following announcements were made by the Speaker, Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana.

On 04th April 2023, the Hon Speaker made an announcement regarding the judgment given by the Supreme Court regarding the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Bill.

In accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 55(2)(b), in a case where a petition has been referred to the Supreme Court regarding a Bill, after the decision pertaining to the Bill has been given by the Supreme Court, the Speaker must announce the said decision to the Parliament.

Hon Members of Parliament Hon. Udaya Gammanpila, Hon. Gevindu Cumaratunga and Hon. (Ven.) Athuraliye Rathana Thero have submitted to this distinguished House on 25.04.2023 that the Supreme Court decision has not been communicated correctly in the announcement.

If the Hon Members have any doubts or ambiguities regarding the matters mentioned in the announcement, the Speaker emphasizes that what the Speaker intended to communicate in the said announcement is that the Supreme Court has decided that the provisions of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Bill subject to the amendments proposed by the Supreme Court are not inconsistent with the Constitution. Accordingly, the Supreme Court has decided that subject to the amendments mentioned in the Supreme Court decision, the Bill can be passed in the Parliament by a simple majority.

The Speaker further informed that the relevant Supreme Court decision has been tabled and published in the Hansard report and it can be downloaded from the Parliament website.

Furthermore, the Speaker announced that the Member of Parliament, Hon. Ajith Rajapakse may submit a proposal to refer the issues raised in Parliament under the Privileges on January 17, 2023 to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.