Petition seeks Special Determination of SC on Reparations Bill

By S.S. Selvanayagam

A lawyer filed a petition seeking the special determination of the Supreme Court on the Bill titled ‘Office for Reparations’.

The Bill seeks to provide the establishment of the Office for Reparations to identify aggrieved persons eligible for reparations and to provide for the provisions of individual and collective reparations to such persons and to repeal the Rehabilitation of Persons, Properties and Industries Authority Act.

Petitioner Gange Dinesh De Silva complained to the Supreme Court that the Bill purports to transfer executive power to the Prime Minister, the Speaker and Leader of the Opposition which is contrary to the Constitution. He laments the Bill enables the Office for Reparations to work with any person, group, including proscribed groups, and parties with political agendas inimical to the best interests of the country.

He bemoans that the Bill does not require the members of the Office for Reparations to be a citizen of Sri Lanka, although they are to be considered public servants.

He states the Bill enables the Office for Reparations to receive funds by way of donations, grants or gifts from both local and foreign sources without the approval of Parliament.

He contends that one or more provisions of the Bill will not become law unless passed by two-thirds of Parliament and is approved by the people at a referendum.