SC rules Counter Terrorism Bill inconsistent

The bill could be enacted into Law by a simple majority if these clauses, inconsistent with the Constitution, were struck off

The Supreme Court has ruled that some clauses of the CounterTerrorism Bill, brought for the replacement of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), were inconsistent with the Constitution, and therefore it could be passed with a two-thirds majority in addition to approval of people by referendum.

The court’s determination was communicated to Parliament by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday. However, he said the bill could be enacted into Law by a simple majority if these clauses, inconsistent with the Constitution, were struck off.