The Supreme Court has ruled that the President’s Entitlements Repeal Bill, which aims to abolish certain privileges enjoyed by former Presidents, is consistent with the Constitution and can be passed with a simple majority in Parliament. Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne announced the court's decision in Parliament today
.The Supreme Court had previously stated on August 25 that it would deliver its confidential determination on the constitutionality of the bill to the Speaker. The bill was presented by the government to remove housing, pension, transport, and staff benefits currently provided to retired Presidents and their widows.
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, Justice Achala Wengappuli, and Justice Sampath Abeykoon delivered the ruling after concluding hearings on multiple petitions filed against the bill.
At the commencement of the hearing, President’s Counsel Ali Sabry, representing former Navy Chief of Staff S. M. Wijewickrama, argued that Section 3 of the Presidential Entitlements Act No. 4 of 1986 guarantees housing, pensions, staff, and transportation for retired Presidents or their widows. He also cited that if a residence is not provided, one-third of the pension must be paid as a housing allowance.
Despite these arguments, the court determined that the bill does not violate constitutional provisions, paving the way for the government to move forward with its plan to repeal the existing entitlements.
