Announcing the Supreme Court decision, Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody said: “I wish to announce to the House that I have received the determination of the Supreme Court in respect of the Bill titled ‘Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses’ , which was challenged before the Supreme Court under Article 121 (1) of the Constitution.

“The Supreme Court under Article 123(1) of the Constitution has determined that provisions of the Bill are not inconsistent with the Constitution, subject to the amendments suggested by the Supreme Court be incorporated to the Bill.” (Special Reporter/HC)