The Supreme Court has decided that the VAT (Amendment) Bill does not violate the Constitution, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya informed the Parliament today.

Four Special Determination Petitions had been filed against the bill, out of which three were filed by 'Joint Opposition' MPs.

UPFA MP Udaya Gammanpila said at a recent press conference that they were going to present a special legal argument, a 'VAT secret' to the court. During the Court hearings, they pointed out that the VAT was a turnover tax, which therefore, falls under the Provincial List under the 13th Amendment.

There were some other arguments presented on levying the tax on several sectors.

However, the Supreme Court has now determined that the bill is in accordance with the Constitution, clearing the path for debate in the Parliament.