Committee stage amendments envisaged to the CPEC bill in Parliament

April 22, 2021

The government intends to introduce certain amendments to the proposed Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill at the committee stage in Parliament, the Secretary to President informed the Supreme Court today. President's Counsel Romesh de Silva appearing for Secretary to the President Dr P.B. Jayasundera made these remarks when the 19 Special Determination petitions filed challenging the constitutionality of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill was taken up before the Supreme Court five-judge-bench. According to the proposed amendments, clause 7(1) regarding the composition of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission, the president will appoint members of the commission ensuring that the majority are Sri Lankans. Meanwhile, President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena appearing for the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance also insisted the Court the Commission will consist of a majority from Sri Lankans to ensure national interests.“If the commission consists of five members, three will be three Sri Lankans. If it has seven members, four will be Sri Lankans,” Jayawardena insisted. He further said that the commission would promote national interests or the interests of the advancement of the national economy. Meanwhile, Additional Solicitor General Farzana Jameel appearing for the Attorney General commenced her oral submission responding to the averments by the petitioners challenging the constitutionality of the bill. A Supreme Court five-judge-bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justice Buwaneka Aluwihare, Justice Priyantha Jayawardena, Justice Murdu Fernando and Justice Janak de Silva fixed the petitions for further hearing for tomorrow (23). The Additional Solicitor General is to continue her further oral submissions from 10 am tomorrow.

Committee stage amendments envisaged to the CPEC bill in Parliament

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