• 5 June is beyond the 2 week period given to challenge the bill in Sc: Parliament Secy. explains

 The Parliament yesterday (26) refuted recent allegations made by Opposition Parliamentarian Prof. Charitha Herath regarding the scheduling of the second reading of the Economic Transformation Bill and the Public Financial Management Bill on 5 June.

According to the Parliamentary Order Book, the second reading of the said two bills is scheduled for 5 June.

Taking to the 'X', formerly known as 'Twitter', Prof. Herath said that the second reading of the bills has been scheduled for 5 June without the receipt of the Supreme Court (SC) determination on the same. "Interesting rush! These two bills were not cleared through the SC, and we don't have the SC determination yet. However, dates were fixed for the second reading! Very unparliamentary move." his 'X' message read.

When contacted by The Daily Morning and queried about the matter, the Parliamentary Secretary General Kushani Rohanadheera said that one may have misunderstood the scenario. "The period of two weeks granted to challenge these bills before the SC concludes on 5 June. That is why we have listed it in the Order Book. However, if they (bills) are challenged before the SC, we will not proceed with them until the SC determination is received, and that is the general practice."

If the two bills are challenged before the SC before 5 June, she said that the relevant judicial proceedings would continue for 21 days from the date of the final petition. "When a bill is challenged before the SC, the relevant determination will be issued in 21 days since the last petition was filed. Upon the receipt of the determination, the bills will also go through by the relevant Parliamentary committees in such an event. There is no need to panic." she explained, adding that Prof. Herath has also been informed about it by a Parliamentary official.

The ‘Economic Transformation Bill’ and the ‘Public Financial Management Bill,’ which are designed to enhance the management of public finances, thereby safeguarding against future economic downturns, were tabled in the Parliament on 22 May.