Proposed reforms opposed
Several political parties including parties aligned with the government are rejecting the proposed electoral reforms.
United National Party (UNP), Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC), Upcountry People's Front (UPF) and Western Province People's Front (WPPF) - told media on Thursday that they oppose the proposed electoral reforms that "do not fulfil aspirations of the people". The leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremasinghe stressed the importance of having a strong parliament that is capable of finding solutions to the problems in the country following an election. "The proposals should be endorsed by the people", Wickremasinghe said. SLMC leader, Rauf Hakeem said although there is an attempt to portray that all the parties support the proposed electoral reforms which is not true. TNA leader, R.Sampanthan said, "Tamil people had expected a big change in the political system of the country since independence". “This dream has not yet been realised. As the proposals do not fulfil their aspirations we will not support”, he said. The reforms that are being "done in a rush" would not only affect the minority parties but also the small parties, said the leader of the Western Province People’s Front, Mano Ganeshan.