Left to oppose one Govt.move

Will enable the Legislature to introduce laws on devolved subjects

The leftist allies of the ruling coalition have decided to oppose the government’s move to empower Parliament to legislate on subjects allocated to the Provincial Councils by only obtaining approval from a majority of them

instead of all as it is at present, Daily Mirror learns.

There are three leftist allies – Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP), Communist Party (CP) and New Leftist Front- with five members in the House.

Article 154(G) (3) of the Constitution provides for the House to seek the approval of all the Provincial Councils when legislating on subjects devolved to them.

Whenever all the councils do not endorse, a particular legislation has to be passed by two-thirds majority in the House for it to become a law applicable to the entire country. Still the government can pass it by a simple majority. Then, it becomes a law applicable to the provinces which approved it initially.

However, the bill presented

The leftist allies of the ruling coalition have decided to oppose the government’s move to empower Parliament to legislate on subjects allocated to the Provincial Councils by only obtaining approval from a majority of them instead of all as it is at present, Daily Mirror learns. Whenever all the councils do not endorse, a particular legislation has to be passed by two-thirds majority in the House for it to become a law applicable to the entire country. Still the government can pass it by a simple majority. Then, it becomes a law applicable to the provinces which approved it initially.

to the Cabinet on Thursday seeks parliamentary approval to repeal this section coming under the 13th Amendment. The bill, if enacted, will enable the Legislature to introduce laws on devolved subjects only with the approval of a majority of councils, instead of seeking consent from all as outlined in the present system. Also, Parliament will get powers under the new bill to legislate on such subjects by a simple majority.

It is learnt that the three leftist parties would submit its observations to the Cabinet very soon in this regard.

However, the parties have decided not to oppose the clause in the proposed bill that prevents the amalgamation of two or more Provincial Councils.