The Development (Special Provisions) draft bill, which was referred to the Northern Provincial Council for approval, has been unanimously rejected by the council members. 

The Northern Provincial Council unanimously decided not to support the draft bill. 

The bill was submitted by Governor of the Northern Province and was unanimously rejected by all members without a vote. 

Meanwhile the draft bill was also defeated by the Uva Provincial Council yesterday (22). Thirteen provincial councillors had voted against the bill while only 9 voted in favour.  

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

However, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to meet with all the Chief Ministers for a discussion on the matter, at the Temple Trees this evening.  

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.