Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill inconsistent with Constitution

By Saman Indrajith

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene announced yesterday in Parliament that the Supreme Court had determined the entire Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill was inconsistent with the Article 12(1) of the Constitution.Therefore, a special majority in Parliament was needed as per Article 84(2) of the Constitution to pass the bill, the Speaker announced.

Clauses 26 and 28 (2) too have to be approved at a referendum in addition to the special majority in the House, the Court has said.

“However, there will not be any inconsistency if all references to ex-combat ants, extremists groups in the Bill are deleted,” he said. The Supreme Court has also determined that clause three of the Bill should be amended, making rehabilitation of drug addicts the objective of the Bureau.