By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

The controversial Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill was approved with amendments by a majority of 61 votes in Parliament yesterday.   Some 97 members voted in favour of the Bill and 36 against. Members were absent during the time of voting. 

Around 91 members were absent during the time of voting. MPs Maithirpala Sirisena, SJB MPs Mano Ganesan, Rajitha Senaratne, Rauff Hakeem, P. Digambaram, SLFP MP Dayasiri Jaysekera were among the absentees.   

The opposition expressed fear that the legislature could be used by the government to postpone the local government election which has already been declared by the Commissioner of Elections while the government said such an eventuality would not arise.  

Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella said the Chairman of Election Commission Nimal Punchi Hewa has mentioned that the Bill could create a confusion with regard to the local government election. “The Commissioner of Elections said during the consultative committee meeting that the Bill could create a confusion with regard to the local government elections.