Special Judicature Bill will be passed in Parliament today

The Judicature (Amendment) Bill aimed for the establishment of a three-member High Court to hear large-scale crimes and bribery and corruption cases will be tabled in parliament on today (May 09) and get it passed, the Minister of Justice and Prison Reforms Thalatha Atukorala said.

Addressing a media briefing at the Department of Government Information today, the Minister said the government hopes to get the bill passed by a simple majority vote after revisions have been made to the clauses that needed two-third majority as decided by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court last month accepting the Bill decided that it needs to be passed with a two-third majority as certain clauses included in the bill require amendments to the Constitution.

“We made the amendments to the clauses the Supreme Court pointed out, and now it can be passed with a simple majority, and tomorrow we will adopt this bill,” Justice Minister Thalatha Atukorala said.

She said the amendments were made to vest the powers in the Chief Justice, and accordingly, the Chief Justice will decide which cases to be heard and on appointing the judges.