President in secret discussions with opposition MPs to get two-thirds to pass the constitutional amendments

The President, it is reliably learnt, has initiated secret discussions with several opposition parliamentarians to receive the required two-thirds majority in parliament to pass the constitutional amendment to remove the two term barrier on the Executive Presidency.

Instead of Ministers Basil Rajapaksa and Dullas Alahapperuma, whom the President previously used to initiate such secret discussions with opposition MPs, this time around, the President has called the services of Ministers S.B. Dissanayake and Rajitha Senaratne.

It is learnt that several UNP and TNA legislators have already expressed willingness to join the government.

  The President had made a stern statement to the governing party parliamentary group meeting that the government needed the support of several opposition parliamentarians to pass the proposed constitutional amendments with a two-thirds majority and that they would be accepted in to the government by offering ministerial portfolios. He had asked all government members not to object to the move.