By Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran filed a Fundamental Rights petition challenging the Speaker’s certification of the Online Safety Bill. This petition argues that the Bill violates the fundamental rights of citizens.
Sumanthiran argues that:
The Speaker’s certification of the Bill is invalid because the committee stage amendments did not address concerns raised by the Supreme Court.
This inaction by the Attorney General infringed on the fundamental rights guaranteed by Articles 12(1) and 14 of the Constitution.
The Court’s Decision:
The Supreme Court, consisting of a three-judge bench, dismissed the petition. They accepted the preliminary objections raised by the Attorney General, who argued that the court cannot intervene in legislative matters once a bill has been certified by the Speaker.
The Respondents:
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana
Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam
Further Developments:
It remains to be seen if Sumanthiran will pursue alternative avenues to challenge the Online Safety Bill.The opposition is fileng a no confidence motion.
