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Anti Conversion Bill
through
The Anti Conversion Bill
has been held not to be unconstitutional either in whole or in part,
The Sunday Leader learns.
The Supreme Court on
Wednesday communicated its decision to both President Chandrika
Kumaratunga and Speaker W. J. M. Lokubandara.
At the time the Supreme
Court decision was communicated to parliament, the Speaker was on an
official visit to Australia, but was expected to arrive tomorrow and
announce the decision to parliament this week.
The Prohibition of
Forcible Conversion Bill was presented to was presented to
parliament as a private members bill by JHU MP, Ven. Dr. Omalpe
Sobitha Thero. The bill states no person shall convert or attempt to
convert either directly or otherwise, any person from one religion
to another by the use of force or by allurement or any fraudulent
means nor shall any person aid or abet any such conversions.
The bill provides for any
person convicted under it to be punished by a term of imprisonment
for a period no longer than five years or a fine not exceeding
Rs.150,000.
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