The Sri Lanka Electricity Bill was passed in Parliament with amendments today, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced.
The draft Bill was taken up for vote following the second reading and was passed with a majority of 44 votes. The third reading of the Bill was then passed with amendments, without a vote.
A total of 103 Parliamentarians had voted in favour of the Bill, while 59 MPs including Opposition members of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, National People’s Power and independent MPs had voted against it.
The Sri Lanka Electricity Bill is expected to establish independent and accountable corporate entities, promote competition, ensure consumer protection, and facilitate the growth of renewable energy.
Earlier this week, the Speaker announced that the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka had determined that the Sri Lanka Electricity Bill is inconsistent with the Constitution and can only be passed by a special majority in Parliament.
The Supreme Court also stated that the inconsistency could be resolved if the Bill is amended according to the proposals outlined in its summary of the determination. However, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said that the government accepted all the amendments suggested by the Supreme Court. (Newswire)