Update – Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill 3rd reading passed in Parliament with majority 91 votes. 2nd reading of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill passed in Parliament with a majority of 89 votes. 148 MPs voted for favor and 59 voted against.

Port City Bill debate resumed and voting will be this evening. Participation of government MPs made compulsory: JVP wants amendments in advance.

Supreme Court’s determination on Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill to Present Parliament on May 18.

According to Supreme Court determination, SC finds some clauses in the Port City Economic Commission Bill are inconsistent with the Constitution. Those clauses can be made valid if amended or passed through a referendum.

Supreme Court’s determination on the Colombo Port City Economic Commission draft bill received by Speaker last evening and it will be presented to the Parliament on May 18, reports Adaderana. Port City Economic Commission Bill will not be taken up for debate today May 5. The Committee on Parliamentary Business chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena yesterday (04) decided not to hold the debate on the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill on May 05.

Instead, the adjournment debate on the current situation of the country in the face of the Covid19 will be held on May 05 from 10.00 am to 4.30 pm without lunch break, Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake said. Mr. Dasanayake said that the decision not to hold the debate was taken as Parliament had not yet received the determination of the Supreme Court with regard to the petitions filed on the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill.

After receiving the determination from the Supreme Court, party leaders will have to make a decision on when the debate should be held, secretary general said. The Committee on Parliamentary Business decided on April 30 to hold this week Parliamentary sittings on May 04 and 05 only, due to the prevailing situation.