General elections to be held before 24th April - Minister Dallas Alahapperuma

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Will the Parliament be dissolved before March 2nd? Several politicians commented on the matter. State Minister of Small & Medium Enterprise Development,  Susantha Punchinilame said:

"The way I see it, a vote is needed to dissolve the Parliament as per the constitution. Six months after a parliamentary election, if all parliamentarians want to do so, they can dissolve parliament and go for the general election with a two-thirds majority. But even now, the Sri Lanka Freedom Front, TNA, MPs of the JVP can go ahead. "

Minister of Education, Dallas Alahapperuma speaking on the matter commented:

"If there is 2 out of 3 in the parliament, it can be dissolved. There are various proposals. We have not decided yet. Each party talks. We have not yet made such a decision, we must make an independent decision. We are speaking today on the 9th of February. If this happens, this Parliament will be in for 20 days; at the most, it would be around 20 to 21 days. You can bring it before that as well. We will have to face the general election before the 24th of April."

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa also spoke on the same issue, and said;

"We only have a deal with the people. We have a contract with the people. So at a time when we are speaking about a 2/3rds majority, we are ready to give the support of a 2/3rds majority in parliament but this support will not be given for political deals, or personal agendas, not for the protection of two or three people, we will not enter into any agreement or deal for the benefit of a selected few. They speak about this 2/3rds majority everywhere. The government is now saying that they need a 2/3rds majority to implement the policies that they presented at the presidential election. Another group is saying give us a 2/3rds majority and hold the election. Look at the similarities between these two statements. The common feature is, the priority given to their own well-being. They are not concerned about the well-being of the country."

Meanwhile, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya's comments:

"A two-thirds majority of parliament is needed for such an election. There are only 3 more days in the parliament. The Parliament is currently proposed on the 18th, 19th and the 20th, after that there is no time for this. I don't think there is time. After four and a half years, the President has the power to dissolve the Parliament. If they are dissolved, they can be dissolved after the 1st of March. After the second they can be dissolved. Then, if there is an election, an election can be held any day after the 22nd of April. That decision will not be made by the President or the Prime Minister. That decision will be made by the Elections Commission."