The Development (Special Provisions) draft bill has been defeated by the Central Provincial Council with 32 voting against.
Opposition (UNP) members of the council were absent during the vote.
The opposition members had staged a walkout before the vote was taken as their request for a debate on the draft bill was turn down by the ruling party members.
The draft bill has also been defeated by the Uva, North Central, Sabaragamuwa and Southern Provincial Councils while the Northern Provincial Council unanimously decided not to support it.
Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama has announced that bill will be presented in Parliament in February 2017.
He also 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.
