The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill based on an improved preliminary draft, aimed at introducing new legislation to protect the rights of Sri Lanka’s indigenous community.
On May 22, the Cabinet had initially approved a joint proposal by the then Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms and the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to introduce the new law. At that meeting, it was decided to further analyze the concept paper for the draft bill, involving all relevant stakeholders, according to the Cabinet Spokesman.
Subsequent discussions with officials from the Ministries of Lands, Wildlife and Forest Conservation, Environment, and Finance, as well as the Attorney General’s Department and the Department of Legal Draftsman, led to improvements in the fundamental draft bill. These discussions also included input from stakeholders in the relevant sectors, coordinated by the Secretary to the Prime Minister.
Following these consultations, the Cabinet has approved the proposal jointly submitted by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms and the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare the final draft bill.
