News

News

JHU to present amended bill
The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) is to present the amended Anti-conversion Bill in Parliament. JHU Deputy Leader Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera told The Sunday Times that the Bill for the Prohibition of Forcible Conversions of Religion would be presented to Parliament, with amendments recommended by the Supreme Court being included.

Manohara de Silva, who appeared on behalf of Sobitha Thera during the determination, said although the Supreme Court has ruled some "drafting defects" of the Bill and has accepted that unethical conversions are against international norms, the JHU has no major objections to the amendments.

He said that Clause 3 of the Bill that makes it mandatory to report a conversion to the Divisional Secretariat will be removed and Clause 4(a), which makes it an offence to meet the terms of Clause 3, will be removed. Mr. de Silva said Clause 4 would be amended to the effect that all prosecutions under the Bill be carried out according to provisions laid in the Criminal Procedure Act.

He further said that according to the Supreme Court ruling, Clause 5 will be amended to stipulate that any institution of prosecution relating to offences of forcible conversions be instituted, subject to the written sanctions of the Attorney General.

JHU sources said that according to Parliamentary Standing Orders a Select Committee has to be appointed to look into the Bill, which will take six months. The Supreme Court upholding that Unethical Conversions were against international norms and should be made an offence, is a victory for those who voted for the JHU, said a source.

Top

Back to News