SC notes Committee Stage amendments to one Bill, while finding no constitutional inconsistency in the second
By The Pulseline News Desk
The Supreme Court (SC) has determined that two amendment Bills to the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance can be passed by a simple majority in Parliament, with one Bill requiring specific changes at the Committee Stage.
Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih has informed Parliament of the determinations, stating that the Supreme Court had considered the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Amendment Bill No. 79 of 2026 (LDO 8/2026) and the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Amendment Bill No. 80 of 2026 (LDO 11/2026).
Both Bills had been challenged before the Supreme Court under Article 121(1) of the Constitution.
In its determination on Bill No. 79 of 2026, the Court has ruled that the legislation could be passed by a simple majority, provided that specified amendments were incorporated during the Committee Stage.
The required changes relate to proposed Section 77A(5), including provisions concerning the presence of a suspect in court and the date on which relevant reports are handed over to the suspect or their legal counsel.
The amendments would clarify aspects of the proposed legal procedure governing the handling of such reports.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has determined that Bill No. 80 of 2026 was not inconsistent with any provision of the Constitution and could therefore be passed by a simple majority of Parliament.
The determination means that neither Bill requires a two-thirds majority or approval at a referendum, subject to the conditions specified by the Court in relation to Bill No. 79.
Following the announcement, Salih has directed that the Supreme Court’s determinations be included in the official report of the day’s parliamentary proceedings.
The Bills seek to amend the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, the principal legislation governing controlled substances and related offences in Sri Lanka.
The Supreme Court’s determinations address the Bills’ constitutional validity and the legislative majorities required for their passage. Bill No. 79 must incorporate the specified changes at the Committee Stage before it can be passed in accordance with the Court’s determination.
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