By Stanley Samarasinghe

The General Secretary of the Samurdhi Development officers’ Union, Chamara Madduma Kaluge, on Thusday filed a petition against the Bill titled ‘Divineguma’ which was placed on the order paper of Parliament on 10 August.

The petitioner cited the Attorney General as the respondent and invited the Court to determine whether one or more of the provisions in the Bill is inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution.

The petitioner also requested the Court to determine whether it requires to be passed by no less than two thirds of the whole number of members in Parliament, and approving by the people at a referendum.

The petitioner states the Bill provides for the establishment of a Department called The Department of Divineguma by amalgamating the Samurdhi Authority, Southern Development Authority, and Udarata Development Authority.

Section 4, 5, 6, of the Bill have the effect of amending and repealing the items in the Provincial Council list, and therefore, it requires to be passed by not less than two thirds of the whole number of members in Parliament. 

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