It seems as if the 19th Amendment to the Constitution will not secure a two thirds majority in parliament this evening with three UPFA MPs proposing 18 last minute amendments to the constitutional amendment.

Informed sources told Asian Mirror that three MPs of the UPFA representing Mahajana Eksath Peramuna would propose changes to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

Already there were differences of opinion within the opposition over two contentious issues, namely the composition of the Constructional Council and the President acting on the Prime Minister’s advice when appointing the cabinet of Ministers.

President Maithripala Sirisena appointed a committee comprising Minister Rauff Hakeem, MP M.A. Sumanthiran and Deputy Minister Ajith Perara, MPs Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Faizer Mustapha and Rajiva Wijesinha to iron out the differences.

The committee was not able to reach a final agreement last night and will meet again at 12.30pm to hold further discussions.