The Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill was passed with amendments by the House yesterday (19) with a majority of 61 votes.
A total of 97 MPs voted in favour of the Bill while 36 MPs voted against. MPs of Samagi Jana Balawegaya and National People’s Power among several other Opposition political parties voted against the Bill.
Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyedasa Rajapakshe presented the Bill to the House for the Second Reading.
During the debate, the ruling party did not accept an amendment proposed by the Opposition requesting that the Bill would not be applied for an election that has already been announced. The Opposition accused the government that passing the Bill is an attempt to postpone the Local Government election.
However, Minister Dr. Wijeyedasa Rajapakshe pointed out that passing of the bill will not affect the LG polls.
Dr.Rajapakshe also said that this is not an…
