Petition filed in Supreme Court against Presidents’ Entitlements Repeal Bill

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

A Special Determination petition has been filed before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the proposed Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill, which was presented in Parliament with the aim of repealing the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986.   

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) activist Renuka Dushyantha Perera filed the petition seeking a declaration that the Bill requires approval of people by referendum, in addition to receiving a two-thirds majority in Parliament.   

Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara presented the Bill in Parliament, which once enacted, will repeal the special privileges currently granted to former Presidents, their families, and retired Members of Parliament.