Oct 11, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Supreme Court has received another petition challenging the controversial Divi Neguma Bill that has been presented before parliament for the second time.

The Samurdhi Development Officers Union has filed the petition against the Divi Neguma Bill. The union previously filed a petition challenging the bill as well.

General Secretary of Samurdhi Development Officers Union, Chamara Maddumakaluge has said the petition filed previously by the union had prevented the government's attempt to get the bill adopted in an arbitrary manner on August 24th due to a directive by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court at the time informed parliament that approval of all provincial councils was needed to adopt the bill.

Maddumakaluge has observed that the latest petition filed before the Supreme Court questions the validity of the approval to the bill granted by the Northern Province Governor in the absence of a Northern Provincial Council.

He has added that the petition has also sought the Supreme Court to order the nullification of the clauses that allow the Finance Minister to handle Rs.55 billion belonging to Samurdhi recipients that is in the Samurdhi Banks.