Divisions arise over 20-A approved by cabinet

Divisions have arisen over the electoral reforms proposed and approved by the cabinet last night with some minor parties raising concerns.

Leader of the National Workers Union and Government Minister P Digambaram said that the estate community does not agree with the proposals approved by cabinet yesterday.

Digambaram said that the 20th Amendment to the constitution, approved by cabinet yesterday, does not ensure fair representation for the estate community.

“Even at the cabinet meeting I had raised my objections to the proposals,” he said.

Digambaram said that during talks held earlier with President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, minor parties had submitted proposals on electoral reforms seeking a Parliament with more than 225 members.

However cabinet had yesterday approved a proposal by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to have a 225 member parliament with 125 members elected via the first past the post system, 75 via the proportional representation system and 25 from the National list.

Digambaram said that under the system approved by cabinet, political parties representing the estate community will have 5 seats?in Parliament.

However Digambaram said that 5 seats is not enough and that?political parties representing the estate community need 10 seats.

The Minister said that the political parties representing the estate community are not asking for a separate state but just 10 seats in Parliament. (Colombo Gazette)