Sept 21, Colombo: A minister of the Sri Lankan government says there are attempts to create a conflict between the judiciary and executive.

Deputy Economic Development Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said it is persons with vested interests who have taken the proposed Divi Neguma Bill before courts in order to create a conflict between the judiciary and executive.

Although the pension payments for about 26,000 people would be delayed due to the delay in passing the bill, the Minister stressed that the government would never interfere with the judicial process.

The Supreme Court has informed the Speaker of parliament that the proposed Divi Neguma Bill needs the approval of the provincial councils before being adopted as a law by parliament.

The bill proposes the establishment of a new department called the Divi Neguma Department by amalgamating the Samurdhi Authority, Southern Development Authority and the Udarata Development Authority.

According to Abeywardena, converting all these departments into one would be convenient to the people.