GoSL to amend Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill.

Colombo (News 1st); The Supreme Court on Thursday (22) instructed the Attorney General to inform the court on the amendments that would be introduced to the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill, which has been presented to Parliament.

Several new amendments to the Port City Economic Commission bill were forwarded to the Attorney General on Thursday (22), the fourth day on which the petitions filed challenging the Port City Economic Commission Bill was taken up for consideration at the Supreme Court. Additional Solicitor General Farzana Jameel appearing for the Attorney General's Department informed the Supreme Court that the Government had decided to add several amendments to the bill at the Parliamentary Committee stage. The Additional Solicitor General presented the amendments to the five-judge bench via a document. Before the submissions made by the Additional Solicitor General, President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva, appearing on behalf of President’s Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundara in an intervening petition told the court that his client had instructed to take necessary measures to amend the bill. Sanjeewa Jayawardena PC stated in court that his clients advised him that the composition of the port City economic commission will be amended to require a majority of the members of the commissions to be Sri Lankan Citizens. Sanjeewa Jayawardena PC was appearing for the Secretary to the Finance Ministry S.R. Attygalle and Secretary to the Cabinet of Ministers Donald Fernando, who were intervenient petitioners. Additional Solicitor General Farzana Jameel pointed out that the President who is the Commander-in-Chief and the Executive of the country is empowered by law to claim land on the shore of the island as well as land reclaimed from the sea. The counsel further pointed out that the Colombo Port City Special economic zone is a special economic zone and not an area that falls under the portfolio of Provincial Councils and Local Government. The Additional Solicitor General pointed out that this special economic zone that was created in furtherance of the policy of the nation does not include any provisions detrimental to the nation.