UPDATE: The Supreme Court has commenced hearings into a series of petitions filed challenging the proposed Organized Crime Prevention Bill.
The petitions are being heard by a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justices Achala Wengappuli and Sampath Abeykoon, Ada Derana reporter said.
According to Supreme Court records, a total of 26 petitions have been filed challenging the proposed legislation.
The petitioners have claimed that certain provisions of the Bill violate fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.
They have requested the Supreme Court to determine that, if the disputed provisions are to be enacted, they must receive approval by a two-thirds majority in Parliament and subsequently be approved at a referendum.
The petitions have been filed by several parties, including the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL).
A total of twenty-six petitions have been filed before the Supreme Court challenging the Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill, recently presented to Parliament by the government.
The petitions are scheduled to be taken up for consideration by the Supreme Court today, said Ada Derana reporter.
