He is responding to a decision taken by the UNP leadership to ask the president to dissolve parliament if the proposed constitutional amendments are defeated.

The deputy minister said so while participating in V FM’s ‘Siddhamulla’ programme.

However, the SLFP-led UPFA MPs are divided on their stance with regard to the constitutional amendment.

One group wants to support passage of the amendment, while the other insists that it should not be allowed to be passed without additional revisions.

Meetings

Meanwhile, prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met former president Chandrika Kumaratunga two days ago in order to resolve the dispute over the 19th amendment.

Following the cabinet meeting yesterday, Mr. Wickremesinghe and president Maithripala Sirisena had discussions on this matter as well, say government sources.