One month extension given to submit constructive proposals to two draft Bills
By Saman Indrajith
Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara, on Tuesday, told Parliament that the proposed Bills to repeal the Rent Act and introduce a new Protection of Occupants law would not adversely impact individuals or businesses engaged in renting out residential properties.
Responding to concerns raised by NDF MP Ravi Karunanayake over the proposed legislation, the Minister said both Bills had been drafted by a panel of experts and due legal and procedural processes had been followed.
The minister said the two draft Bills had been gazetted on 18 Sept., 2025, and opened for public consultation from 04 Nov., 2025 to 15 Jan., 2026. During that period, the draft legislation had been published on the official website of the Ministry of Justice and National Integration and in Sinhala, Tamil and English newspapers inviting public comments, he added.
Nanayakkara said only two formal submissions had been received during the initial consultation period, rejecting claims that the proposed laws were being introduced without transparency.
“This is not legislation being brought in through the backdoor. Our intention is to introduce the best possible laws for the people of this country,” he said, urging all stakeholders, irrespective of political affiliation, to submit constructive proposals.
The Minister also told the House that the Ministry had received a letter, dated January 29, 2026, from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka seeking an opportunity to present its views on the proposed Bills.
In view of requests from several parties, he said the government had decided to extend the public consultation period by a further month from 03 Feb., 2026.
Nanayakkara said that once written submissions were received, they would be examined by a committee, headed by the Additional Secretary (Legal) of the Ministry, which would evaluate the recommendations, observations and proposals before finalising the draft legislation.
from The Island https://ift.tt/frTlep4
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