Parliament receives SC determination on Port City Bill

• House to hear on 18 May SC determination and date for debate to be decided by party leaders thereafter

The Supreme Court’s (SC) determination on the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill has been received by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, his office said yesterday.

The Speaker will announce the Court ruling to Parliament when it meets on 18 May, following which party leaders will decide on a date to debate the Bill.

The Port City Economic Commission Bill was to be debated this week but had to be postponed due to the delay in receiving the Supreme Court’s determination on the Bill. 

Several petitions were filed in the SC challenging the Bill on grounds that some of its clauses are inconsistent with the Constitution.

The Bill provides for the establishment of a Commission empowered to grant registrations, licenses, authorisations, and other approvals to carry on businesses and other activities in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to be established within the Colombo Port City.

A high-powered five-member Commission to administer the Port City will be set up after the Bill is approved by Parliament.