The Attorney General has informed the Supreme Court that provisions relating to tattoos and body marks in the proposed Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill will be removed through amendments to the legislation.

The amendments are expected to be presented during the Committee Stage of Parliament and a document outlining the proposed changes has also been submitted to the Supreme Court, Ada Derana reporter said.

The Attorney General further informed the Court that a clause requiring prior court approval to publish information relating to cases involving serious crimes would also be withdrawn.

These developments were communicated by Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne, who appeared on behalf of the Attorney General when petitions challenging the Bill were taken up for hearing today (09).

The Supreme Court commenced hearing 26 petitions filed challenging certain provisions of the proposed Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill, on the grounds that they are inconsistent with the Constitution.

The hearing is being conducted before a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justices Achala Wengappuli and Sampath Abeykoon, Ada Derana reporter said.

When the petitions were previously taken up, the Court had directed the petitioners to submit any proposed amendments to the Bill through written submissions.

Accordingly, attorneys representing the petitioners submitted their written submissions to the Court last Thursday (05).