33 C
Colombo
Tuesday, March 26, 2024

JVP called on the Government not to stifle wider public dialogue on the Port City Bill

Must read

The JVP called on the Government not to stifle wider public dialogue on the Port City Economic Development Act.

“The government is trying to pass the Port City Economic Development Act in a hurry at a time when we are all focused on the COVID-19 pandemic,” JVP General Secretary Tylvin Silva said yesterday.

He said that the government is in a hurry to pass this Bill in Parliament that they fixed dates for the debate before the apex court gave its determination on the constitutionality of the Bill.

He said many organisations including the the JVP filed Fundamental Rights applications in the Supreme Court against this Bill after it was tabled in Parliament. The government is trying its best to get it passed before public start discussing on the Bill, he said.

“At the Party Leaders’ Meeting in Parliament, our party leader Anura Dissanayake requested that the matter be allowed to be discussed in society as people should have an opportunity to express their views in passing a Special Bill that deals with the sovereignty and independence of our country, he said.

He said the people have not been able to express their views on the Bill due to the pandemic situation. “They cannot go out of their houses in fear of the Covid outbreak.

The government is trying to fish in troubled watera by making use of the present situation in the country,” he said.

He said that the government should allow to have a wide dialogue on this bill if it respects the basic norms and principles of democracy.

He further stated that once this Bill is passed, it cannot be revoked. “Gazettes can be reversed or repealed but this Bill cannot be reversed”, he said.

More articles

Latest article