February 08, Colombo (LNW): The Parliamentary Business Committee has fixed February 17 for the debate on the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill, according to Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake.
He indicated that the proposed legislation is expected to be debated and put to a vote on the same day, signalling a swift parliamentary process.
Addressing the House, Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne confirmed that the Supreme Court has determined the Bill to be in line with the Constitution. The Court ruled that it may be passed with a simple majority under Article 121(1), dismissing the need for any additional procedural requirements.
The ruling came in response to legal challenges filed by a group of former Members of Parliament, who argued that the Bill infringed upon fundamental rights and therefore required approval by a special parliamentary majority and a public referendum.
The legislation, tabled in Parliament on 7 January by Justice Minister Dr Harshana Nanayakkara, aims to end the existing pension entitlement granted to former parliamentarians.
