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UNP-SLMC scuttling 20A - Nimal

17 Jun 2015 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala De Silva today charged that the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) were in a move to scuttle the passage of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution in Parliament and the two political parties issue conflicting and different statements on electoral reforms at different times.

Mr. De Silva said Opposition was determined to increase the new Parliament to 250 or 255 seats despite the UNP's stance not to increase the Parliament's composition beyond 225 seats.

Meanwhile, the draft of the 20th Amendment has been gazetted Tuesday midnight with a 237-seat Parliament under the new electoral reforms, as approved by the Cabinet last Friday.

The Opposition expects to introduce amendments including the increase of the number of seats in Parliament to 255, when the 20th Amendment is debated at the Committee Stage in Parliament.

The Opposition would consult Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya and the Electoral Sub-Committee appointed to draft the Bill, Mr. De Silva said.

The Cabinet of Ministers at the special meeting held on Friday decided to increase the number of seats to 237 with 145 from First Past the Post system, 55 from the National Proportional System and 37 from the National List.

“The UNP, while agreeing to a 237-seat Parliament at the Cabinet expresses its opposition to increase the number of seats from current 225. The SLMC meanwhile demands two ballot papers. Both parties do not want electoral reforms but elections. We are ready for elections at any time, but we must support President Sirisena to fulfil his pledges given at the Presidential Poll. That is why we want the 20th Amendment be passed before dissolution,” he said.(Sadun A. Jayasekara)

Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

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UNP-SLMC scuttling 20A - Nimal

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