18 October 2023 09:43 pm Views - 1174
The meeting called by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene ended without a final decision as opposition parties rejected the proposed amendment of the parliamentary electoral reforms though allies of the ruling party had reached a consensus.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) allies, the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), and the ACMC led by Rishard Bathiudeen participated, though the Opposition Leader had mentioned that his party would boycott the meeting.
Dullas Alahapperuma's group and MP Gajendrakumara Ponnambalam also participated in the meeting.
TPA Leader Mano Ganesan said all opposition parties opposed the move.
“However Dullas Alahapperuma said what his group opposes is the alleged move to postpone elections in the guise of reforms,” Ganesan said.
Alahapperuma had already said that the group of MPs led by him only opposed the postponement of elections. He is of the opinion that electoral reforms is something which people had wanted for a long time. He publicly stated earlier that a genuine move to reform the electoral system is welcome.
It has been decided that another meeting of political party leaders should be held in two weeks’ time. (Yohan Perera)