Oct 04, Colombo: A lower court in Sri Lanka has today referred a petition filed by a Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian challenging the authority of the Northern province Governor to approval a controversial piece of legislation to the country's apex court.

TNA MP Mavai Senathirajah had filed a petition challenging the Northern Province Governor's authority to approve the controversial Divi Neguma Bill at the Court of Appeal.

The Appellate Court after taking up the petition today had referred it to the Supreme Court.

Senathirajah in his petition had questioned the Governor's authority to sanction the bill that requires approval from the Northern Provincial Council.

The Northern Provincial Council is yet to be constituted after holding an election after the de-merger of the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

The Supreme Court last week informed parliament that the Divi Neguma Bill required approval from the provincial councils in order to be adopted as law by the House.

All the other provincial councils which have established administrations have approved the bill.