Uva PC defeats Development (Special Provisions) draft bill

The Development (Special Provisions) draft bill was defeated by the Uva Provincial Council with a majority of four votes.

Thirteen provincial councillors had voted against the bill while only 9 voted in favour, Ada Derana reporter said. 

The bill was submitted by Uva Governor M. P. Jayasinghe for approval and taken up at a council session chaired by A. M. Buddhadasa yesterday (22). 

All SLFP members except Chief Minister Chamara Sampath, who abstained, voted against the Bill, which all UNP members voted for.

Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama announced this week that the Development (Special Provision) Bill will be presented in Parliament in February 2017.

He denied that this bill would pave the way for a ‘Super Minister’ as accused by several opposition parties and added that, through this bill, it will facilitate the investors coming here to easily get their work done through a one-stop shop.