The Parliamentary Business Committee has scheduled the debate and passage of the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill for 17 February, Minister of State for the House Bimal Rathnayake announced.

Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne stated that the Supreme Court has confirmed the bill is fully consistent with the Constitution and can be enacted with a simple majority.

The Court reviewed petitions from former MPs who had challenged certain provisions, claiming they violated fundamental rights, and ruled the bill does not require a special majority or a public referendum.

Once enacted, the bill will abolish pension entitlements for 512 former Members of Parliament.