Monday Feb 16, 2026
Monday Feb 16, 2026
Tuesday, 10 February 2026 05:29 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Government has moved to pause and reconsider the controversial proposed Protection of Occupants/Tenants legislation, signalling a reset of the drafting process amid legal challenges and concerns raised before the Supreme Court.
The Attorney General’s Department informed the Supreme Court yesterday that the Government has decided to re-examine the draft Protection of Occupants Bill, which was recently presented to Parliament, and to reopen the process for public and stakeholder input.
The Justice Ministry has granted a one-month period, effective from 3 February, to receive comments and suggestions on the proposed legislation and a new committee would be appointed to review the draft Bill alongside the related Rent (Repeal) Bill.
The petitions were heard before a three-member Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Mahinda Samayawardena, Arjuna Obeysekera, and Sampath Abeykoon.
According to a letter dated 6 February from the Justice Ministry Secretary, the proposed committee will include representatives from the Attorney General’s Department, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, and eminent members appointed by the Justice Minister. The committee is expected to consider public representations as well as issues raised in the petitions before proposing any amendments to the draft legislation.
President’s Counsel Faizer Musthapha appeared on behalf of the petitioners.
Based on the undertaking given by the Attorney General’s Department that the draft Bill would be revisited through a fresh consultative process, the petitioners withdrew their cases, and the Supreme Court concluded the hearings.
