Divi Neguma Bill faced steep challenges: Basil

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said that some elements were conspiring to deprive the Government of a two-thirds majority when the Divi Neguma Bill was taken for vote in Parliament.

Minister Basil Rajapaksa addressing the meeting with Samurdhi Officers Federation

Minister Basil Rajapaksa noted that the Divi Neguma Bill faced steep challenges, adding that he would not have accepted the economic development portfolio if he had known the challenges earlier.

Speaking at that meeting with Samurdhi Officers Federation at the Folk Arts Centre in Battaramulla on Wednesday, the Minister added that some elements tried to stop the votes for the Divi Neguma Bill, meant for the uplift of low income groups.

“However we managed to get the Bill passed in Parliament with a majority of 160 votes.  Even the Constitutional Amendment did not receive such an overwhelming majority in Parliament,” he added.

Minister Rajapaksa said that the Divi Neguma movement and the Bill received wide publicity due to the vicious campaign launched by the various elements with vested interests. “Colombo-based diplomats started asking me what Divi Neguma was after massive campaign was launched by various quarters against it,” he said. He added that the whole country was well aware of what Divi Neguma was due to this.

The Economic Development Minister stressed that he is not ready to hear these accusations from any quarter of the country after it became a department.  “The officers of the department should carry out their duty honestly,” he added.

Minister Rajapaksa said that he has always given an ear to the grievances and problems of the trade unions in the Samurdhi Authority, adding, “I have never turned down their fair demands.” He added that he has not interfered to the administrative procedure of the authority. “I have never interfered to their transfers or any other administrative procedure.” The Minister added that he has always given instruction to the authority to do what is to be right and fair.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa noted that no Bill referred to the provincial councils by the Central Government received approval except the Divi Neguma Bill. He said that the Divi Neguma Bill was taken for vote by the provincial councils within few days after the President Mahinda Rajapaksa referred it to them for approval.

“The newly-elected provincial councils listed the Divi Neguma bill in their agenda first,” he added. He was of the view that the freedom enjoyed by the employees of the authority would be confined to some extent when they are attached to the public service.  He said that unlike authority, the appointments in the departments were carried out by the Public Service Commission and even the Ministers could not get involved in this procedure.

Pic by Chaminda Hittatiya