SC determination on Telecommunications Amendment Bill revealed

The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka’s determination on ‘Sri Lanka’s Telecommunications Amendment Bill’ was conveyed to the Parliament by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena today. 

The Speaker announced that the Supreme Court deems that several clauses of the said Bill are inconsistent with the Constitution.

He further said that the Supreme Court says the Bill shall only be passed by a special majority of Parliament if amended.  

The Supreme Court further states that, however, the inconsistency shall cease if clauses are amended as set out by the Supreme Court determination. 

The Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill was introduced to Parliament in May with provisions that could impose penalties on those who misuse telephone communication.

Leader of the House Susil Premajayantha presented the bill which proposes fines of up to Rs. 100,000 and potential disconnection of telephone services for those persistently causing annoyance or inconvenience without a reasonable excuse.

The amended bill presented to Parliament after a period of 28 years, also stipulates harsher penalties for those found deliberately inciting public unrest through their communications, with possible fines reaching Rs. 1 million or even imprisonment, alongside daily fines of Rs. 1,500 for ongoing offences. (Newswire)