The issue pertaining to the appointment of Tissa Attanayake as a Cabinet Minister during election time was a question which should have been resolved by the Elections Commissioner if there was a necessity at that time, Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday (21) the Jathika Hela Urumaya General Secretary added that there was serious doubt as to why Rajapaksa was summoned by the Bribery Commission at this juncture. While Rajapaksa was not innocent of wrongdoings, this could have been done at this time to disrupt the 19th Amendment debate from taking place, Ranawaka said.

He added that the UNP and a section of the SLFP want to prevent the 19 th Amendment from being approved. Then they want to go for a snap election and use it for their advantage, he added.

Ranawaka reiterated that the government was attempting to introduce provisions the Supreme Court did not approve to the 19th Amendment.