The anti-corruption bill was passed without a vote in Parliament today (6) afternoon, subject to subsequent amendments. Sri Lanka Latest News
Accordingly, the committee meeting to introduce amendments to the Act is scheduled to be held on the 19th.
The debate on the anti-corruption bill was held for the second day today. Speaking after the debate, the Leader of the House, Minister Susil Premajayantha said that the adoption of this bill will be postponed. He also mentioned that the bill will be passed after the amendments are presented on the 19th.
Mr. Lakshman Kiriella, the chief organizer of the opposition, who spoke here, said:
Pass this bill today and bring the amendments later.
Mr. Iran Wickramaratne, member of Samagi Jana Balawegaya
I know that thieves will not be caught. I did not know that the Act to catch thieves will not be brought. How much did we discuss about this. Pass today and bring amendments later.
Matara District MP Weerasumana Weerasinghe
It is a good trend that the government is ready to listen to our amendments. Is this bill postponed really because of these amendments?
This is due to another effect.
Do not set a wrong precedent for the country.
Mr. Chandima Weerakkodi, Galle District MP
The whole country is waiting for the anti-corruption act. We presented 53 amendments to delay the hearing of the Bribery Commission
We hear that this is being delayed.
Opposition leader Mr. Sajith Premadasa
The new anti-corruption act is the hope of the whole country. Postponing this bill today sends a bad message to the country. That this is being postponed due to some external influence. Kaputu brought a proposal to re-appoint those councilors to the disbanded local government bodies. We have our suspicions that this is the second Crow proposal. Today we have the sovereignty of the parliament or the sovereignty of the crow. The conscience of the Minister of Justice knows that this is the influence of the crow. Two hundred thousand people of this country are waiting. The people who left the parliament are being pressured by crows.
Mr. Rajitha Senaratne, Kalutara District MP
Can this bill be passed today or not? He is the one who brought this bill. This is a great mystery. That’s why there was a struggle. All 225 are said to be thieves. Let us prove that it is not. Give that message to the country. Let’s pass this bill today.
Leader of the House Minister Susil Prema Jayanta
Everyone agreed that this was postponed. There are 28 pages of amendments. The Supreme Court alone has sent thirty-four amendments. This is not a permanent postponement. This is a government work. The Minister of Justice is doing this with patience. This proposal will be debated on the 19th of the next session. Amendments will be submitted on that day.
Mr. Lakman Kiriella
What is the minister’s opinion?
speaker
Does the House agree to the Speaker’s proposal?
Mr. Sajith Premadasa
All countries are waiting for this. The International Monetary Fund is waiting for this. Let’s pass this today. Our work is done.
What is the reason for the postponement?
speaker
The council wants to adjourn
Dr. Wijayadasa Rajapaksa, Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reform
It took ten months to amend this bill. The effort for a hundred other bills was taken for this bill. This took more effort than the 21st Amendment. There is no reason from my side to postpone the bill. I don’t know what the reason is.
Mr. Sajith Premadasa
The cat is out of the bag. Look, the minister in charge of the subject made a very clear statement. He says that there is no reason to delay. Whose influence is this then? Crow’s Why do you belittle this minister so much? Vote on this today. How can the Leader of the House avoid this?
After that, one or two proposed amendments to the Act were passed subject to later amendments.
