Provinces divided over Sustainable Development Bill

Parliament received the consent of the North Central Province yesterday over the controversial Sustainable Development Bill, which was presented to Parliament on 9 January 2017.

According to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, the Bill referred to all nine provincial councils in terms of Article 154G (5)(a) of the Constitution, requesting their views within a period of 30 days in terms of Standing Order 46A (2) (a) of Parliament.

“The Central, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Western and Uva provincial councils have expressed their consent, subject to the amendments after consideration," the Speaker informed Parliament yesterday.

"The Northern Provincial Council has reported their disagreement to the Bill while the Eastern Provincial Council has reported that it has decided to postpone the consideration until the constitutional reforms are implemented,” the Speaker informed Parliament yesterday, referring the views of the provincial councils to the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs and the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development.

The Sustainable Development Bill provides for the development and implementation of a national policy and strategy for sustainable development in the country and to establish the Sustainable Development Council.

According to the Bill, Sri Lanka will set its own national targets, guided by the global level of ambition but taking into account the national interests and circumstances. Seventeen sustainable development goals adopted by member nations of the United Nations will also be incorporated to guide the national planning process, policies and strategies in the relevant ongoing process in the economic, social and environmental sectors. (AH)