CAMELIA NATHANIEL AND AMALI MALLAWAARACHCHI
COLOMBO-The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19)(Temporary Provisions) Bill was taken up for debate in Parliament yesterday (17).
Justice Minister Ali Sabry, PC, opened the Second Reading of the debate. The Justice Minister observed that this Bill seeks to provide facilitation in cases where the courts are unable to complete their proceedings on time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister Ali Sabry pointed out that all parties should support this Bill and said the Opposition should not look at this move as having conspiratorial motives.The Justice Minister also said that such facilities were provided by the judiciary during the tsunami disaster. Minister Ali Sabry said he believes the judiciary should be active in the face of any disaster.
The Minister said that even if an area is locked down due to the pandemic, the problems of the people couldn’t be locked down. In such cases, he said, if one court room is closed down, people should be able to go to the adjoining court or be able to resolve their issues. The Justice Minister also said that this Bill was brought to Parliament after studying court cases in foreign countries. Minister Sabry also said he is ready to accept any fair criticisms on the Bill.(CDN)
