SC commences hearing into petitions against Presidents’ Entitlements Bill

Colombo, August 25 (Daiy Mirror) - The Supreme Court commenced the hearing of seven Special Determination petitions filed challenging the constitutionality of the proposed Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill.

The petitions are currently being heard before a Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, Justice Achala Wengappuli and Justice Sampath Abayakoon.

The petitioners contend that the Bill, which seeks to repeal the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986, cannot be passed by a simple parliamentary process alone.

The 1986 Act currently provides special privileges and entitlements to former Presidents and their widows. The proposed Bill aims to abolish these benefits in their entirety.