The United National Front (UNF) has, reportedly, decided not to present the proposal for a national government to the Parliament today (07).

The decision was taken at a meeting held between the party leaders of UNF last night (06).

However, during the special meeting of party leaders held last afternoon, Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella had proposed to take up the debate on the proposal for forming a National Government during today’s Parliament session, to which all the opposition parties have opposed.

Regardless of the objections, the United National Party (UNP) decided to take up the debate at the House today.

Meanwhile, Chief Government Whip Gayantha Karunathilake yesterday (06) had informed all parliamentarians of the ruling party that it is mandatory for them to vote in favour of the proposal of the national government.

The UNF party leaders had assembled last evening again and decided not to table the proposal for a National Government at the Parliament today, a senior spokesperson of the UNP told Ada Derana.

On February 01st, the Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella submitted a proposal for Parliament approval to increase the number of ministerial portfolios, stating that the United National Party (UNP) has formed a national government.

The proposal stated that whereas the UNP which obtained the highest number of seats in Parliament has formed a National Government, Parliament determines in terms of Article 46(4) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka that the number of Ministers in the Cabinet of Ministers shall not exceed 48 and the number of Ministers who are not Cabinet Ministers and the number of Deputy Ministers shall not exceed 45.