This is disconcerting because CaFFE and several other interested parties have continuously discussed with and informed political leaders about various options for electoral reforms, CaFFE says in a statement.

These options have also been amended after listening to the grievances of political parties, specially the minor parties who might be disadvantaged from the reforms.

The majority of voters have agreed that the preferential voting system would be scrapped and a mixed system, of FPP and Proportional, should replaced the existing electoral system.

However political parties are now attempting to delay carrying out electoral reforms to ensure electoral gains in the coming general election, several parties are attempting to push for early elections while others are trying to delay the elections.

Most political parties are willing to accept a new formula which is a mix of  of FPP (60%) and Proportional (40%).

It was the political parties themselves that proposed to increase the seats in Parliament to 250 (150 MPs from FPP, 75 from Proportional and 25 national list seats).

However during yesterday's meeting some political parties have proposed a new system which is an equal mix of  FPP and Proportional systems. CaFFE's statistical analysis shows that the best way to ensure stability, at a time when the powers of the executive is being reduced, while ensuring that minor parties are represented in parliament, is the mix of  of FPP (60%) and Proportional (40%).

CaFFE says it believes that electoral reforms should be carried out in a manner which deprives a political party of representation in Parliament.

This should be considered when delimitation and on deciding on the number of national list seats. CaFFE reiterates that minor parties, specially those who are the third or fourth powers in a district, need to be represented and a system which fails to give them representation is failed one.

The equal mix of  FPP and Proportional systems will address the concerns of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Muslim Congress and political parties of the plantation sector.

However what is more important is ensuring that women, youth and professional are represented in elected bodies. 

Without that it is almost impossible to overcome the weaknesses of the preferential votes system through an equal mix of  FPP and Proportional systems.

What needs to be done is to assure that best losers are represented in Parliament.

What is not necessary is to strengthen the powers of party leaders by allowing them to appoint MPs through a list.

CaFFE adds that it believes that it will be unlikely that there will be another Parliament  where a party can get two thirds majority and it is the responsibility of all those concerned to not allow this golden opportunity to be destroyed by petty power politics.