The Supreme Court has adjourned until tomorrow the further hearing of petitions filed challenging the constitutionality of the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill, recently presented to the Parliament by the government.
The petitions were taken up for hearing this morning (03) before a three-member Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Shiran Guneratne, Mahinda Samayawardhena and Sampath Wijeratne.
A total of 15 petitions have been filed challenging the Bill, including petitions submitted by former Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris and several other parties.
Counsel appearing for the petitioners made submissions before the open court today, arguing that the proposed Bill would curtail the fundamental rights of the public as well as the powers of the judiciary.
Accordingly, the petitioners’ counsel requested the court to determine that the proposed Bill would require approval at a referendum in order to be enacted.
The submissions by counsel for the petitioners were concluded today, while further submissions are scheduled to be made tomorrow (04).
