Parliament has reported a total of 70 Supreme Court petitions concerning three proposed laws, after Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne announced 15 additional petitions on October 21.
The latest announcement included three more petitions concerning the Sri Lanka Cricket Bill, bringing the reported total for that legislation to 33.
Another 11 petitions were received concerning the Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill. The cumulative number reported for that legislation now stands at 36.
The Speaker also announced receipt of a petition concerning the Immigration Bill.
The petitions were filed under Article 121(1) of the Constitution, which provides for Supreme Court examination of the constitutionality of proposed legislation.
Two bills account for 69 petitions
The Sri Lanka Cricket Bill and the Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill account for 69 of the 70 petitions identified in the Speaker’s latest announcement.
Parliament had previously reported 30 petitions concerning the cricket legislation and 25 concerning the proposed counterterrorism law.
The additional petitions announced on October 21 increased those totals to 33 and 36 respectively.
| Proposed legislation | Earlier reported | Additional | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka Cricket | 30 | 3 | 33 |
| Protection of the State from Terrorism | 25 | 11 | 36 |
| Immigration | 0* | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 55 | 15 | 70 |
*No earlier Immigration Bill petition was included in the cumulative figures given in the October 21 announcement.
The totals are calculated from the petitions reported by the Speaker. They do not establish how many separate individuals or organisations are involved, since the same petitioner may participate in more than one case.
Cricket governance legislation faces constitutional examination
The Sri Lanka Cricket Bill was presented to Parliament on October 6 by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.
It proposes a new statutory structure for the administration and governance of cricket in Sri Lanka.
The proposed legislation addresses the constitution, powers and functions of Sri Lanka Cricket, along with arrangements governing the sport’s administration.
The parliamentary process follows several months of work on changes to cricket governance.
In September, Lakbima News reported on the proposed restructuring of Sri Lanka Cricket, including the work of the Cricket Transformation Committee and the legal procedures required before implementation.
Parliament’s latest announcement confirms that 33 petitions concerning the bill have been reported.
It does not identify every petitioner or set out the constitutional objections raised in each application.
Counterterrorism legislation draws 36 petitions
The Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill was also presented to Parliament on October 6.
The government proposes to replace the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, No. 48 of 1979.
The new bill concerns the investigation, arrest, detention, prosecution and punishment of offences associated with terrorism.
Its provisions also address activities connected to terrorism outside Sri Lanka where the country’s territory or people are involved.
Parliament’s October 21 announcement confirms that 36 petitions concerning the proposed legislation have been reported to the Speaker.
The announcement does not disclose the full grounds of those petitions or the relief sought by individual petitioners.
The Supreme Court’s constitutional examination will determine whether provisions require amendments or particular parliamentary approval procedures before enactment.
Immigration Bill also challenged
The Immigration Bill was presented on October 7 by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs.
It proposes legislation covering entry into Sri Lanka, departure from the country, the stay of foreign nationals and the issue of travel documents.
The bill also proposes repealing the existing Immigrants and Emigrants Act and the Passport (Regulation) and Exit Permit Act.
The Speaker reported receipt of one Supreme Court petition concerning the proposed legislation on October 21.
The announcement provides no further details about that petition.
Petitions are part of the legislative process
Article 121 of the Constitution allows the constitutionality of a bill to be examined by the Supreme Court before it becomes law.
The Court’s determination is communicated to the President and the Speaker under the constitutional procedure.
The number of petitions filed against a bill does not determine whether the proposed legislation is unconstitutional.
Parliament’s October 21 announcement reports the receipt of petitions. It does not contain a final Supreme Court determination on any of the three bills.
The two largest groups of petitions concern legislation affecting very different institutions: the administration of cricket and the state’s powers in dealing with terrorism.
Both bills remain subject to the applicable constitutional and parliamentary procedures.
