Parties in the opposition say they will support the passage of the draft bill on election expenditure regulation if it does not disrupt the upcoming local government polls.
Although a justice ministry advisory committee meeting on January 17 decided to put off the House debate on this bill by one month, the committee on parliamentary affairs yesterday decided to hold the debate on its second reading today.
The issue led to heated arguments in the House yesterday morning, with opposition leader Sajith Premadasa accusing the government of attempting to postpone the LG polls.
Subject minister Wijeydasa Rajapakshe rejected the accusation, while JJB leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake wanted the debate put off by one month as per the previous agreement.
Speaking to Neth News, SJB’s Tissa Attanayake urged the government for the postponement of the bill, which he described as a timely one.
FPC’s Prof. Channa Jayasumana and Weerasumana Weerasinghe of the SLC also expressed similar sentiments.
SLPP’s Susil Premajayantha said there should be no unwanted reservations over this draft bill.
The debate takes place from 10.30 am to 5.00 pm followed by a vote.
