• Raises concerns on limited time for 2nd reading of bills & comparison with SC determinations 

Opposition Parliamentarian Gevindu Cumaratunga has urged the Speaker of the Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana to allocate sufficient time for MPs to study and debate crucial bills before they are passed.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Cumaratunga expressed concerns over the limited time allocated for the second reading of several important Bills scheduled this week. These include the Women Empowerment Bill, the Sri Lanka Electricity Bill, and the Public Debt Management Bill. Additionally, an adjournment debate on education sector reforms is also scheduled. According to the Parliamentary Order Book, the second readings of these Bills are respectively set for today (4), 6 June and 7 June. 

Cumaratunga highlighted the issue of ‘insufficient time’ for the thorough examination and discussion of these Bills. “Each of these Bills has only one day for the second reading. If we take the Electricity Bill, for instance, it will significantly alter the electricity sector. The Women Empowerment Bill and the Public Debt Management Bill are also of considerable importance. They all need to be carefully studied and debated. How can we adequately review and discuss such complex legislation with only one day allocated to each?” Further emphasising the importance of comparing bills with Supreme Court (SC) determinations, Cumaratunga said, “When the SC determinations are issued, we need to compare them with the Bills and ensure that the proposed amendments have been made. The SC determination on the Electricity Bill is yet to be provided to us. Reading out the SC determination one or two days before the second reading of a Bill with hundreds of pages is not enough.”

He also criticised the Government’s hasty introduction of crucial legislation and stressed the need for proper Parliamentary debate. “There are about 10 MPs in the group that I represent in the Parliament. When only one day is allocated for the second reading, all of us get less than 20 minutes to speak. It is not sufficient at all. We urge the Speaker to address this issue and ensure that we are granted enough time to study and debate these Bills.”

Abeywardana was not available for comment.

The Government has introduced several significant pieces of legislation over the past few months, with many more scheduled to be introduced soon. This wave of new laws has attracted substantial criticism from various stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organisations, and policy analysts. Critics argue that the rapid pace and the lack of thorough debate and scrutiny in the legislative process undermine the democratic principles of transparency and accountability.