Chair announces SC determination:

Ailing businesses revival Bill constitutional

‘Urgent Bill in national interest’:

Sandasen MARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody yesterday announced in Parliament that the Supreme Court had informed Parliament that the Bill entitled ‘Revival of Underperforming Enterprises and Underutilized Assets’ is not inconsistent with the constitution.

The Deputy Speaker stated that he wished to make an announcement to the House on the determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill entitled ‘Revival of Underperforming Enterprises and Underutilized Assets’ which in the view of the Cabinet of Ministers was an urgent Bill in the national interest and had been referred to the Supreme Court by the President in terms of Article 122 (1)(6) of the constitution.

The Supreme Court had determined that in terms of Article 123 (1) of the Constitution, neither the Bill nor any provision thereof is inconsistent with the constitution, subject to drafting errors to be corrected as per the determination.

At this stage, UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera raising a Point of Order stated that three cases were being heard on this matter by Courts and argued that this Bill could not be taken for debate.

Leader of the House and Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that the courts could not influence the proceedings of Parliament.

He added that a court cannot influence the supremacy of the peoples represented by Parliament.