Supreme Court refrains from giving determination on Protection of Occupants Bill: Speaker

17 February 2026 12:43 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 3 Bookmark

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By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

Colombo, Feb. 17 (Daily Mirror) - The Supreme Court has refrained from making a determination on the Protection of Occupants Bill, as the government has informed its intention to draft a new bill, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne told Parliament today.

According to the Speaker, the withdrawal of petitions filed before the Supreme Court by the relevant parties also contributed to the court’s decision not to issue a determination.

Comments - 3

Truth Tuesday, 17 February 2026 01:13 PM

This Bill is like a Passenger hiring a vehicle and telling the service provider that he doesn't have money and therefore will not alight from it. The Bill is illogical and against the principles of natural justice. Landlords will be always kind to good tenants.

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Bernard Jayatilake Tuesday, 17 February 2026 02:39 PM

The name, "Protection of Occupants Bill" spells doom to owners of apartments, condominiums, household units and most importantly shops.

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RanjithT Tuesday, 17 February 2026 03:00 PM

With all due respect to the supreme court there is a lapse in the procedure. A gazetted bill cannot simply be ignored when a new one is drafted. It must be formally withdrawn, and the new version must be published in the Gazette to restart the legal process of becoming an Act. How can the SC refrain from giving a determination of a bill simply on a statement by the government. The position is that In the context of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka’s specialized jurisdiction regarding Constitutional validity of Bills (Articles 120-123), it is necessary for the Court to provide a determination even if the initial objections or petitions are withdrawn. I think it is ultra virus.

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