A lawyer in a petition before the Supreme Court today alleged that the bill titled “Bureau of Rehabilitation” has been brought with an ulterior motive of further harassing Aragalaya protestors as this bureau is vested with powers to send people to rehabilitation without a judicial order.
Attorney-at-law Amila Suyama Egodamahawatta, who is actively involved in the public protest called “Aragalaya”, has filed a Special Determination petition challenging the constitutionality of this bill, which was placed on the Order Paper of Parliament on September 23.
The petitioner stated that the bill would circumvent the judicial powers of the people by violating Articles 3 and 4 of the constitution.
Through this petition, the petitioner is seeking a declaration that the bill requires approval by the people at a referendum in addition to the 2/3 approval of Parliament.
The petitioner said, according to the preamble of the bill, the main objective of the Act is to rehabilitate misguided combatants and individuals engaged in extreme or destructive acts, whereas no interpretation has been given to those terms.
Filing this petition through Attorney-at-law Manjula Balasooriya, the petitioner stated that the proposed bill is contrary to freedom of expression and other
Fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution.
The petitioner further contended that the proposed bill provides provisions for the militarization of the justice system.
Thus, it violates the sovereignty of the people.
