SLFP Acting General Secretary Duminda Dissanayake said that the swearing-in of the national government Cabinet of Ministers could get delayed further than September 2.

Speaking at a SLFP press conference today, he pointed out that the number of ministries in a national government has to be determined by the parliament.

The parliament is to be convened on September 1. However, reports said that the JVP will request a debate on the national government formation, which could delay the process.

Meanwhile, the SLFP anniversary celebration will be held on September 2 at Polonnaruwa. Therefore the SLFP ministers would find it difficult to attend the swearing-in on the same day.

Dissanayake clarified that the national government has not been officially formed. SLFP and UNP came to an understanding on how to work within such a government, he added. The national government will be formed following the necessary approval from the parliament on the number of ministries.