In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has taken the decision to conclude proceedings related to several Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions challenging the Anti-Terrorism Draft Bill. This decision comes in the wake of the Speaker of Parliament confirming that the bill has not been officially presented to the legislative body for consideration.

Multiple parties had filed these FR petitions in the Supreme Court, expressing concerns that the Anti-Terrorism Draft Bill posed a potential threat to democratic principles and civil liberties.

This decision to terminate the petitions follows the fundamental principle that the Supreme Court typically takes up cases that are currently before or directly impact the legislature. Given the Speaker's official confirmation that the bill has not yet been presented in Parliament, the Supreme Court concluded that the matter was not within its jurisdiction at this stage.

The Anti-Terrorism Draft Bill has been the subject of significant debate, with numerous parties raising questions about its implications for democratic governance and human rights.