President Ranil Wickremesinghe is due to make a special statement to parliament on October 06 with regard to the economy and international assistance.
Announcing this, he also told government MPs at a meeting yesterday (03) that a House debate would be given if necessary on his statement, said state minister Jagath Kumara.
It comes amidst plans by justice minister Wijedasa Rajapakshe to hold a House debate on the 22nd amendment to the constitution on October 06 and 07, followed by a vote.
However, Wickremesinghe was asked by S.B. Dissanayake and other SLPP MPs as well as president’s chief of staff Sagala Ratnayaka at yesterday’s meeting not to table the amendment and stressed that the executive presidency should continue.
Namal Rajapaksa has openly declared that he would vote against the amendment.
Further, 10 cabinet ministerial hopefuls in a list submitted by Basil Rajapaksa have decided to boycott the vote if they are not given the portfolios.
They are Johnston Fernando, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Gamini Lokuge, S.B. Dissanayake, C.B. Ratnayake, Pavitra Wanniarachchi, Wimalaweera Dissanayake, S.M. Chandrasena, Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Sarath Weerasekara.
