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Move to dissolve Parliament when presidential poll ends
A possible dissolution of Parliament as polling ends for the presidential election on Thursday is worrying those at the highest levels of the opposition. They fear such a move would stymie the 100 day manifesto of National Democratic Front (NDF) candidate Maithripala Sirisena if he should emerge the winner. Mr. Sirisena is giving high priority to making changes to the Executive Presidency by trimming its wide powers and privileges.
Ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance leaders remained tightlipped when asked whether a dissolution was under consideration. However, Mr., Sirisena told the Sunday Times, “If such a move is made, we will be left with one option – that is to hold fresh parliamentary elections. This will only help us emerge victorious.” However Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that they were confident that other UPFA MPs would not cooperate with the opposition, even if Mr. Sirisena won the presidential election. “They need a two thirds majority in Parliament for a change of the Constitution and this will not be possible,” he said.
Despite the absence of a formal response from UPFA leaders, any move to dissolve Parliament, a Cabinet minister who did not wish to be identified said “would not be a welcome move among MPs.” He said many MPs would have to serve until April this year to qualify for pensions – a privilege they are all looking forward to.
A pre-emptive dissolution of Parliament, opposition leaders are worried, would delay the implementation of the pledges given in Mr. Sirisena’s 100-day programme. As Mr. Sirisena explained, they would have to wait till the conduct of a parliamentary election and its outcome before the polls pledges could be implemented. The National Democratic Front (NDF) under whose umbrella all major opposition parties with the exception of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) have united has agreed that each constituent party could go its way at a parliamentary poll. Though not a signatory to the NDF’s agenda, the JVP is carrying out its own campaign for a change in the Presidency – a move that benefits Mr. Sirisena.