The draft Local Government Election Bill was passed in Parliament this morning with 120 MPs voting ‘for’, 44 MPs abstaining and none voting against the Bill.

MPs of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) abstained from voting the Bill into law.

A tense situation arose in Parliament when members argued on if the draft Bill should be called for a third reading before being passed.

However a vote on the decision was taken and the Bill was passed in Parliament without delay.

Meanwhile, the draft Inland Revenue Bill which was scheduled for debate today, was moved to August 30.