Port City Bill risks creating two legal systems within one country: UNP

Sections of the proposed Port City Bill can create two legal systems within one country, the United National Party (UNP) charged yesterday, urging the Government to reconsider the move for the long-term benefit of the nation.

UNP Chairman Wajira Abeywardana addressing the press, called on the Government to seek broad consultation adding that the party stands ready to assist in the matter. 

Abeywardana stressed that based on the recommendations by the Attorney General (AG), the pervious Cabinet approved a proposal to table a Bill in the Parliament to induct the Port City land area under the purview of the district of Colombo. 

The UNP Chairman called on the Government to follow the recommendation (19/1153/116/06-1) by the AG issued on 5 April 2019 and gazette the inclusion of the Port City property within the administrative control of the Colombo district. 

He argued that the UNP led Yahapalanaya Government took adequate measures to ensure legislative oversight, transparency and a credible regulatory framework in its original draft Port City Bill. 

“This Bill needs to be revisited, as it challenges the duties of the legislation and the judiciary. This Bill strips away the powers of the Finance Minister and places it in the hands of a few people who are not accountable to Parliament – special attention needs to be given to fix that. The public and the Government needs to understand that this Bill will allow the creation of what the LTTE did in their areas of control; their own courts, laws. This will create an imbalance in justice,” Abeywardana said. 

He called on the Government to declare the Port City property as Government land, gazette the area as a part of Colombo district and consult the opinion of the Western Provincial Council among a range of measures.