Central Bank Bill Third reading passed with amendments in Parliament, without a vote

• Some 134 members were absent during the time of voting
• Amendments proposed by the Opposition were rejected

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

The third reading of the Central Bank Bill which was seen as a vital piece of legislation which converts Central Bank as an independent body, was passed with amendments in Parliament without a vote yesterday.   

The second reading was passed by a majority of 42 votes with 66 members voting for it and 24 against.   

Some 134 members were absent during the time of voting.  

  The amendments proposed by the Opposition were rejected. One of the amendments which was proposed by the Opposition was to allow some members of the Central Bank Administration Committee and monetary policy committee to be appointed by Parliament.   

The Opposition seemed to be divided on their ideologies with regard to the legislation, as MP Gevindu Kumaratunga and Wimal Weerawansa said the Bill will pave the way for international bodies such as IMF to gain control of Central Bank. However SJB MP Dr. Harsha De Silva said the Bill should have been brought in 50 years ago. “The country would not have gone bankrupt if the Bill was enacted earlier. We would have welcomed the Bill and voted for it if the government agreed to amendments proposed by us,” he said.   

However Dr. De Silva being the Chairman of the Public Finance Committee, was not present at the time of voting. 

• Dr. Harsha De Silva being the Chairman of the Public Finance Committee, was not present at the time of voting