SC to inform decision on Provincial Council Elections (Amendment) Bill

The Supreme Court yesterday decided (12) to inform the Speaker of its decision on the constitutionality of the Provincial Council Elections (Amendment) Bill submitted for Parliamentary approval.

Court made this decision after considering the two petitions filed in the apex court challenging the Bill yesterday.

These two petitions were taken up before three-judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, Yasantha Kodagoda and Achala Vengappuli.

Senior lawyer Kanishka Witharana, who appeared on behalf of the petitioner, pointed out to Court that the proposed Bill will directly affect the voting rights of the people.

These petitions were filed by Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara and political activist and business woman Jehan Hameed. The Attorney General and MP M.A.Sumanthiran who presented this bill to the Parliament have been cited as respondents in the petitions.