The Cabinet of Ministers failed to arrive at a final decision on the 20th Amendment to the Constitution when it met last night. The Cabinet, therefore, deferred the decision by one week.

President Maithripala Sirisena presented the Cabinet with the suggestions put forward by minor political parties on the electoral reforms to be introduced through the 20th Amendment. Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauf Hakeem also reiterated this point. However, Jathika Hela Urumaya General Secretary Patali Champika Ranawaka said that the electoral reforms should not be deferred giving various excuses.

The Cabinet appointed a sub-committee comprising of Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Lakshman Kiriella, Champika Ranawaka, S.B. Dissanayake, Rauff Hakeem and P. Digambaram was appointed to look into amending the draft further, reports said.

Since the final decision is not expected for a week, the 20th Amendment is not likely to be presented to parliament on May 19, as expected earlier.