The Supreme Court has determined that the Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill may be passed by a simple majority of Parliament, except for two specific clauses which require a special majority, Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne announced in Parliament yesterday (9).

The Determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled ‘Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment)’ was challenged in the Supreme Court under Article 121(1) of the Constitution.

According to the Speaker’s announcement, Clause 14 (proposed Section 12A(b)) and Clause 18 (proposed Sections 17A, 17B and 17C) shall be passed by a special majority of Parliament. The remainder of the Bill may be passed by a simple majority.

The Speaker further informed Parliament that the Supreme Court has determined that the said clauses too can be passed by a simple majority of Parliament if they are amended as proposed by the Court.

The Speaker also ordered that the Determination of the Supreme Court be printed in the official report of today’s proceedings.