SriLanka, Oct. 31 -- Several Special Determination petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the proposed Prevention of Organised Crime Bill, claiming that certain provisions of the legislation would undermine judicial independence, deprive suspects of their right to a fair trial and create conditions conducive to torture.

Among the petitioners is the Law and Society Trust (LST), which has sought a determination that the entire Bill, or several of its provisions, is inconsistent with the Constitution and therefore requires a two-thirds majority in Parliament and approval by the People at a referendum to become law.

The Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill, published as a Gazette Supplement issued...