The second reading of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill has been passed in Parliament with a majority of 89 votes.

Thereby, a total of 148 Members of Parliament have voted in favour of the Port City Bill and 59 voted against.

All political parties affiliated with the government have supported the Bill during the vote, while members of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), National People’s Power (NPP) and Tamil National Alliance vetoed the Bill.

Earlier today (May 20), the Parliament resumed the debate on the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill, which kicked off on Wednesday morning (May 19).

Delivering a special statement to the House yesterday, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said the government expects to bring in an amendment that allocates at least 75% of the job opportunities at the Colombo Port City should be reserved for Sri Lankans.

On Tuesday (May 18), Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena presented the Supreme Court’s determination on the Colombo Port City Bill.

The Supreme Court had found that several clauses of the Bill were inconsistent with the Constitution. However, these clauses can either be amended or passed in the parliament with a special majority or in a referendum, the Supreme Court determined.

In its 62-page determination on the Bill, the Supreme Court had also included how the concerning clauses can be amended.

The government later announced that it agrees with all determinations and amendments of the Supreme Court with regard to the Colombo Port City Bill.