Divi Neguma Bill: Govt. ready even for referendum

2 November 2012 08:43 pm

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday vowed to enact the Divi Neguma Bill even by placing it before the people at a referendum in case the Supreme Court had given such a determination.

The Bill was challenged in the Supreme Court by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). The Court initially ruled that the Bill should be referred to the provincial councils for approval. Eight provincial councils approved the Bill.

With regard to the Northern Provincial Council, which has still not been elected the question was wether the Northern Governor could endorse the in place of the NPC.

The ruling on this matter has now been communicated to Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa and it will be announced in Parliament on Tuesday.
When asked about the Bill, the minister told Daily Mirror the Supreme Court would have stipulated the procedure to be adopted in making the Bill a law in Parliament.

“If it cannot be passed by a simple majority, the Court will stipulate the criteria to be followed.  In that case, we might require a two-third majority. It may be required to be put for people’s approval at a referendum. We are ready for that. If we are asked to make some changes in the process, we will do it. We will respect the Court ruling and take necessary steps to enact it,” the minister said.

He said ‘Divi Neguma Movement’ was launched with the objective of developing household economic units and eradicating poverty through micro-finance programmes.

“In the past, there were household economies.  Families cultivated their paddy lands. They had a few head of cattle. People on bought a few of their requirements such as salt and textiles from outside. Today, such household economies can be developed for commercial purposes,” he said.  (KB)