SC rules Parliamentary Pensions Repeal Bill can be passed with simple majority

The Supreme Court has determined that no provision in the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill is inconsistent with the Constitution, and that it can be enacted by Parliament with a simple majority, Speaker of the House Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne stated.

Announcing the Supreme Court’s decision, he added that the bill had been reviewed in accordance with Article 121(1) of the Constitution and was found to be fully consistent with constitutional provisions.

On January 22, the Supreme Court concluded its review of the petitions filed challenging the bill submitted to Parliament for the abolition of parliamentary pensions.

The petitions were submitted by a group of former Members of Parliament, who sought a determination from the Supreme Court that several clauses in the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill are unconstitutional.

Petitioners claimed that certain provisions of the proposed bill violate fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

Accordingly, the petitioners requested the Supreme Court to rule that, if the bill is to be enacted, it must be passed with a special majority in Parliament and approved by a public referendum.

The Bill seeking to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament was presented to Parliament on January 7 by the Minister of Justice and National Integration, Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara. A period of 14 days from that date was provided for the submission of petitions challenging the Bill.

The Second Reading debate on the Bill is scheduled to be held towards the end of this month. Once the Bill is enacted, the pension entitlements of 512 former Members of Parliament will be abolished.

Determination - Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill by Adaderana Online