Amended Divineguma bill passed
The amended Divineguma bill has been passed in Parliament with 160 MPs voting for and 53 voting against. The opposition UNP, TNA and DNA voted against the bill while 11 members abstained.
The government has made 10 amendments to the Bill based on the recommendations made by the Supreme Court to avert a referendum.
The Supreme Court after considering 14 petitions filed against the Bill ruled that certain clauses of the draft bill had to be approved by a two-third majority in the parliament as well as through a public referendum unless those clauses were amended.
The Divineguma Bill proposes the establishment of a new department by amalgamating the Samurdhi Authority, Southern Development Authority and the Udarata Development Authority to better achieve the grassroots economic development and alleviate poverty. The new department will function under the Ministry of Economic Development.
Courtesy: Ada Derana
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I wonder on what grounds the 64 members eother voted against or abstained from voting for the most progressive grass roots development based Divi Neguma bill?
The passage of the Bill in the legislature marks a definitive turning point in the socio-economic development of the country.
Do these 64 members pursue their own agendas. I can understand the LTT proxy party pursuing their own agenda. The rudderless UNP under Wimpy Wicks is of course, drifting aimlessley in the ocean. The JVP with its zero voter base can do better.