Also, prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has proposed to president Maithripala Sirisena that the general election be held as scheduled without abolishing this system, Lakbima reports.

This decision was made at a meeting between the UNP and minority parties, and it will be intimated to the president.

Political parties have suggested to the president that as per the 100 day programme, parliament should be dissolved and parliamentary polls held as scheduled.

They have not found fault with the postponement of the dissolution until April 23 to allow MPs first elected at the 2010 election to become entitled to a pension, say political sources.

As a result of decisions reached by political party leaders, the general election will take place in the first week of June, reports say.