6 July 2023 06:24 pm Views - 1504
The second reading of the proposed Anti Corruption Bill was approved unanimously in Parliament today while the Commitee Stage was postponed to July 19 when the ammendments will be approved.
The initial proposal made by Leader of the House Susil Premajayantha to postpone the vote on the Bill came under fire by the Opposition while Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksha also questioned the move.
"I have worked hard to prepare the Bill with amendments and have not put in so much effort to get other legislations enacted. I cannot understand why the enacting of the Anti Corruption Bill should be postponed," Minister Rajapaksha said.
Earlier, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, Lakshman Kiriella, MPs Chandima Weerakkody, Rajitha Senaratne and Weerasumana Weerasinghe wanted the Bill passed in the House.
"There is a hidden agenda behind the decision to postpone the vote. One wonders whether this is a proposal by Kaputa," Mr. Premadasa said.
MP Weerasinghe also made the same allegation.
The arguments became tense after which the Leader of the House suggested that the second reading be passed now and the ammendments enacted on 19th.
"We don't intend to postpone the enacting of the Bill permernantly," he said.