Suren Fernando Profile picture
May 18, 2021 13 tweets 7 min read Read on X
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1/13
The Supreme Court Determination on the #PortCityBill is available on the @ParliamentLK website:

parliament.lk/uploads/bills/…

Some of the clauses have been held to require a special (2/3) majority, while some have been held to require 2/3 + referendum. 👇🏼
2/13
Re Composition of the Commission:
AG has agreed to include amendments to ensure that the majority of commissioners are Sri Lankan. (Under the original formulation, all could have been foreigners)
3/13
Clauses 3(6), 30(3), 55(2), & 58(1) provided that Regulatory Authorities (RA) could be compelled by the Commission to grant requisite approvals.
SC determines that this violates A.12(1). Amendments to be made to ensure that RA retain their discretion.
4/13
The SC also determines that the Commission can only exercise regulatory powers vested in other RAs after obtaining their concurrence, and that the RA's power within the PortCity area continues unimpeded.
5/13
The SC determined that the power granted to the Commission (sans Parliamentary control) (clause 68(1)(f) & 68(3)(a)) to make rules etc with penal sanctions, is inconsistent with Articles 76, 3 & 4
6/13
The SC determines that the Commission cannot make Development Control Regulations (clauses 3(4) & 6(1)(u)) without Parliamentary control.
7/13
Clauses 52(3), 52(5), 71(2)(p) at present do not provide guidelines for granting exemptions.
Determined to violate Articles 3,4,76.
SC determines that Regulations must be promulgated specifying criteria, and Parliamentary approval must be obtained for such Regulations.
8/13
Clause 60(c) & (f) which seeks to grant taxation powers to the Commission is inconsistent with Article 148.
9/13
Clause 37 permits an Authorised Person to engage in business, in partnership with a citizen, outside the area of the #PortCity.
SC determines that in such event, exemptions granted cannot apply to business carried on outside the Port City area.
10/13
Clause 63 sought to grant such priority to cases of parties within #PortCity that even illness of counsel would not be a ground for postponement.
AG agreed this would be amended.
11/13
The Determination also lists out some of the other amendments which the AG stated would be incorporated.
12/13
The Determinations of the SC (and the amendments necessary if it is to be enacted without 2/3 and / or a referendum) are summarised at the end of the SD... (contd...)
13/13
(...contd from 12/13)

/end

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More from @SurenFernando

Jul 14, 2022
When the President resigns...

1. If the office of President becomes vacant prior to expiration of term, Parliament must elect an MP to be President for remainder of term. (A.40(1)(a))

2. The election must be held ASAP, and no later than one month from vacancy. (40(1)(b))

1/6
3. Between the occurrence of vacancy and assumption of office by the MP so elected, the PM shall act as President. (A.40(1)(c)) The PM shall, during this period appoint another Minister to act as PM.

4. If the PM is unable to act as President, the Speaker shall act.

2/6
5. The occurrence of a vacancy in the office of President, shall operate as a summoning of Parliament to meet within three days of the vacancy. The SG shall inform the MPs of the date and time of the meeting. (S.4 – PE(SP) Act)

3/6
Read 7 tweets
Jul 13, 2022
How did @RW_UNP become acting President?

Did @GotabayaR appoint him? Or has @GotabayaR resigned as President?

Those are the only instances in which PM could be acting President!

If neither happened, the PM qua PM cannot declare emergency / curfew!

themorning.lk/emergency-bein…
The only other instance would be if the Chief Justice in consultation with the Speaker has found the President temporarily unable to act...
Read 4 tweets
Apr 21, 2022
@sjbsrilanka presented proposed 21A bill to SG of @ParliamentLK. Proposals include:
1) Abolish current Executive Presidency: Parliament to elect President
2) Cabinet will be continuously accountable & responsible to Parliament, can be removed by no confidence motion

1/4
3) Reduction of Maximum Cabinet Ministers to 25, maximum of non-cabinet and deputy Ministers to 25. No increase of Ministers in event of coalition govt
4) Stringent provisions to prevent corrupt crossovers

2/4
5) Establish Constitutional Council & independent commissions including Audit & Procurement Commissions
6) Constitutional recognition of National Security Council
7) Establish a State Council to obtain advice of experts / public representations on matters of public importance
3/4
Read 5 tweets
Apr 19, 2022
Police are bound to uphold & defend the Constitution. They are bound to respect, secure & advance sovereign citizens' fundamental rights, including free speech.
'Superior orders' is not a defence to unlawful acts.
EVEN IF force is necessary, only reasonable force can be used.
@PresRajapaksa PM during your Jana Ghosha days, the Supreme Court, while upholding the right of peaceful protest, cautioned:
"Stifling the peaceful expression of legitimate dissent today can only result, inexorably, in the catastrophic explosion of violence some other day."

2/4
You must immediately (1) condemn this excessive force used by the police, (2) ensure immediate action against the police, (3) publicly assure the protestors their fundamental rights will be respected & protected, & (4) ensure non-recurrence.

3/4
Read 4 tweets
Apr 18, 2021
The #GOSL Tabled the #PortCityBill in Parliament on 8th April 2021.

1. The Bill provides for the establishment of a Commission consisting 5-7 persons appointed at the sole discretion of the President (cl.7). Such persons need not be citizens.
2. The Commission appoints the Director General (CEO) (cl.25). There is no requirement that such person be a citizen.

3. The accounts of the Commission are required to be audited by a qualified auditor (cl.15). There is no requirement that the audit be by the Auditor General.
4. Only an 'Authorised Person' can engage in business within the Port City (cl.26). The Commission will determine who will be so authorised...
Read 9 tweets
Oct 23, 2020
Sad day for #Democracy in #SriLanka... a large majority of MPs voted to enact #20A to reduce checks and balances, and to concentrate powers in the office of President...

#Constitution
#SeparationOfPowers
#RuleOfLaw
Several Govt MPs who objected to clauses such as that permitting dual citizens seeking election to Parliament, (and those who said they could not in good conscience vote for 20A), voted for it anyway! #Hypocrisy
Several MPs who voted for the progressive #19A also voted for the regressive #20A.
Read 11 tweets

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