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Speaker to announce SC determination on Port City Bill tomorrow

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena will announce the Supreme Court determination on the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill to the House tomorrow.

The debate on the Bill will take place from 19-20 May, the Committee on Parliamentary Business has decided.

The hours of debate will be 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on 19 May and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on 20 May.

Several petitions were filed in the SC challenging the Bill on grounds that some of its clauses are inconsistent with the Constitution.

The Bill provides for the establishment of a commission empowered to grant registrations, licences, authorisations, and other approvals to carry on businesses and other activities in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to be established within the Colombo Port City.

A high-powered five-member commission to administer the Port City will be set up after the Bill is approved by Parliament.

When the House meets tomorrow, it will debate regulations under the Finance Act, No. 11 of 2004, Order under the Finance Act, No. 35 of 2018, Order under the Finance Act, No. 11 of 2006, Order under the Ports and Airports Development Levy Act, eight Orders under the Special Commodity Levy Act, two Orders under the Strategic Development Projects Act, and a Regulation under the Foreign Exchange Act.

(FT)