Leader of the House and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva today informed the speaker that the ‘Divi Neguma’ Draft Bill will be withdrawn from the order paper in Parliament.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa on Tuesday (18) had stated that the Supreme Court has ordered that the Divi Neguma Draft Bill receive the approval of all Provincial Councils as it comes within their scope.

The government was looking to set up a Divi Neguma Department under the bill, which will take over the existing Samurdhi Authority, the Southern Development Authority and the Upcountry Development Authority.

The Bill will also set up a Divi Neguma Community Based Organisation, Divi Neguma Community Based Banks and Banking Societies.

However a petition was filed challenging the bill, claiming it was harmful to the country.