President Maithripala Sirisena stated that those who are hindering the passage of the 20 th Amendment were traitors to the people of the country.

Speaking at a public rally in support of the 20 th Amendment this afternoon, the president said that the electoral reforms will allow ordinary people a level field of competition to enter the parliament. This will help people of less privileged classes and those with limited financial capabilities to enter the parliament, he added.

Therefore the electoral reforms will help the people and democracy, he stated.

The President also stated that the special Cabinet meeting convened today will discuss only this matter. The meeting convened this evening at the Presidential Secretariat.

Interestingly, this rally was attended by both SLFP General Secretary Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and its National Organizer Susil Premajayantha. Their positions within the SLFP were rumored to be threatened, amidst a controversy regarding a booklet distributed at a SLFP press conference.

Both Yapa and Premajayantha urged the MPs to support the 20th Amendment. Premajayantha said that it should be done within this parliament.

Meanwhile, SLFP Media Spokesman Dilan Perera said at a press briefing earlier in the day that all SLFP MPs support the 20th Amendment.