Petro Products Bill: Supreme Court determination given to the speaker

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Supreme Court has made its determination on the The Petroleum Products (special provisions) amendment bill.

The Supreme Court determination was announced to the house on Thursday (21) by the Speaker.

The determination is as follows: 

A: Clause 3 (2) of the bill is inconsistent with the article 12 (1) of the constitution, and it may only be passed by a special majority required under the provisions of paragraph 2 of article 84.

The inconsistency will cease if the composition of the committee is changed, to include the following:

- Secretary to the Ministry in charge of the subject of Economic Policy Development 
- Secretary to the Ministry in charge of the subject of Investment Promotion

B: Clause 7 of the bill is inconsistent with articles 3 & 4 of the constitution, and may be passed only by a Special Majority required under the provisions of paragraph 2 of article 84, and approved by the people at a referendum by virtue of the provisions of article 83 of the constitution.

The bill as a whole is inconsistent with Article 12 (1) of the constitution. This inconsistency will cease if the following clause is added to the bill:

- The Committee appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers shall be deemed to be a scheduled institution, which means the Bribery Act, and Provisions Act shall be construed accordingly.