Two local govt: bills passed [November 16 2010]

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa informed the parliament the supreme court has determined that two local government bills meant to reform the existing election laws were consistent with the constitution.

The two bills, Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Bill and Local Authorities (Special Provisions) Bill were challenged in the court by several minority parties who said the change would affect them adversely.

The bills could therefore debated and passed with a simple majority in parliament.