Ex-Colombo mayor, five political parties seek SC determination

By S.S. Selvanayagam

 In the absence of the Northern Provincial Council, the controversial Divi Neguma Bill has not been approved by the Northern Provincial Council and the legislative power of the Provincial Councils cannot be executed by any other authority.

 So lament former Colombo Municipal Mayor Azath Sally and five political parties in their application filed yesterday (15) before the Supreme Court through Attorney-at-Law Gowry Shangary Thavarasha.

 Democratic Socialist Party Leader Sirithunga Jayasuriya, Eksath Janathava Peramuna Leader Sirisasiri Happuarachchi, Democratic People’s Front Leader Mano Ganesan, Nava Sama Samaja Party General Secretary Dr. Vickramabahu, Nava Sinhala Urumaya General Secretary Sarath Manamendra and Azath Sally are the petitioners.

 They contend that the said Bill has not been property placed in the Order Paper of the Parliament in as much as all the Provincial Councils have not been consulted as required by law.

 They also cited some provisions that are inconsistent with the Constitution and contend that the entire Bill and/or one or more of the sections thereof will not become law unless passed by two-thirds of the whole number of the members in Parliament and approved by the people at a referendum.