Rehab Bureau Bill aimed at harassing Aragalaya protesters, says FR petition

The 'Bureau of Rehabilitation' Bill is aimed at further harassing 'Aragalaya' protesters as the bureau it seeks to set up has the authority to send people for rehabilitation without a court order, according to a lawyer who has petitioned the Supreme Court.

Challenging the constitutionality of the bill which has been presented to Parliament, Attorney-at-Law Amila Suyama Egodamahawatta says the rehabilitation bureau will take the country towards militarisation.

The bill would undermine the people's judicial powers in violation of Articles 3 and 4 of the Constitution, he argues.

Mr. Egodamahawatta points out that, while the bill's preamble states that it is an act to rehabilitate rebels, a lack of a proper interpretation of this term could result in the people who were involved in the 'aragalaya' being taken away to be rehabilitated by the military.

The petitioner is seeking a court declaration that the bill requires approval by the people at a referendum in addition to being passed by Parliament with a two-thirds majority.