By Yohan Perera   

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has certified the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) (Temporary Provisions) Bill on August 23, 2021, Secretary General of Parliament Dammika Dasanayake said.   

The Bill was passed in Parliament without a vote on August 17.   

The purpose of this Bill is to make temporary provisions in relation to situations where persons were unable to perform certain actions required by law to be performed within the prescribed time periods due to Covid-19 circumstances; to assign alternative courts where a court cannot function due to Covid-19 circumstances; to conduct court proceedings using remote communication technology to facilitate the control of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19); to grant relief in relation to parties to certain contracts who were unable to perform contractual obligations due to Covid-19 circumstances and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.  Accordingly, the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 17 of 2021 will come into force from 23rd of this month.