The Divi Neguma Draft Bill, which was forwarded for Provincial Council approval under a Supreme Court directive, was today passed in the Western provincial Council with 40 majority votes.
A total of 64 councilors voted in favor of the draft bill, which was presented at the Provincial Council meeting today while 24 members voted against it.
While a petition was filed challenging the bill, claiming it was harmful to the country, the Supreme Court last Tuesday (18) ordered that the Draft Bill receive the approval of all Provincial Councils as it comes within their scope.
However Leader of the House and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva on Friday informed the speaker that the ‘Divi Neguma’ Draft Bill will be withdrawn from the order paper in Parliament.
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.
