SC determination on MPs Pension Repeal Bill to be submitted to Speaker

The Supreme Court has finished reviewing the petitions against the bill aimed at ending pensions for Members of Parliament in Sri Lanka. The court will soon share its decision with the Speaker of the House, according to a report by Ada Derana. A group of former MPs filed the petitions, arguing that some parts of the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill are unconstitutional. They claimed that certain elements of the bill go against the fundamental rights outlined in the Constitution. The petitioners asked the Supreme Court to decide that if the bill is to become law, it should be approved by a special majority in Parliament and also require a public referendum. The bill to eliminate pensions for MPs was introduced to Parliament on January 7 by Justice and National Integration Minister Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara. There is a 14-day period for submitting petitions against the bill, starting from that date. The Second Reading debate on the bill is set to take place towards the end of next month.