Last minute postponement of Commitee stage of Anti Corruption Bill

By Yohan Perera and Ajirh Siriwardana  

The second reading of the proposed Anti-Corruption Bill was approved unanimously in Parliament yesterday while the Commitee stage was postponed to July 19 on which amendments 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 Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe also questioned the move.   

“I cannot understand why enacting of the Anti-Corruption Bill should be postponed,” Minister Rajapakshe said creating suspense.  

Earlier Opposition Leader 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 made by’ ‘Kaputa’ Mr. Premadasa said.  

The Leader of the House suggested that the second reading will be passed now and amendments will be enacted on the 19th. 

  The second reading of the Bill was apparently approved by the House.