President Rajapaksa closer to constitution change
August 5, 2010 08:51 pm
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Thursday drew closer to the two-thirds parliamentary majority he needs to change the constitution after two opposition legislators joined his ruling alliance.
The president’s United Peoples Freedom Alliance won a sweeping majority at April polls after Rajapaksa’s re-election three months earlier.
Rajapaksa has already struck a tentative deal to return
“Two opposition members of parliament from different political parties joined the government today, taking the strength of the ruling alliance to 146 in the 225-member parliament,” said Lucien Rajakarunanayake, a presidential spokesman.
The crossovers come as the government and the main
opposition United National Party are in discussions to change the constitution
and reduce the president’s executive powers.
Reuters