Colombo, Oct. 24 -- The election of a Diyawadana Niame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa and Basnayake Nilames of other devales came into the limelight in Parliament today with the Opposition calling for the change of traditions enabling women Divisional Secretaries to vote at the polls held to elect such Nilames.

MP Chathura Galappaththi who moved an adjournment debate on the issue, said that the electors of a Diyawadana Nilame have declined to a minimal level as the majority of Divisional Secretaries in the Kandy District are women.

"Around 100 out of 176 Divisional Secretaries in the Kandy District are women, while there are only 76 male Divisional Secretaries.

"Accordingly, the electors of a Diyawadana Nilame have declined this time to ...