SC begins hearing petitions against Revenue Bill

By A.J.A. Abeynayake

The Supreme Court yesterday commenced the hearing of the petitions filed challenging the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill presented by the government.

The petitions were heard before a three-member Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, Murdu Fernando and Janak de Silva.

The petitions have been filed before the Supreme Court seeking a ruling that the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill violates the Constitution of Sri Lanka.

The petitions have been submitted by the Association of High Court Judges, the Association of Judicial Officers of Sri Lanka and citizens. The Attorney General has been named as the respondent.

The petitioners have argued that the proposed Bill violates the fundamental rights of the people. They have requested the Court to declare that if the relevant Bill is to be passed, it must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote in Parliament and approved by the people at a referendum.