Speaking to BBC Sandeshaya, Ganeshan said public awareness should be raised first, before a new electoral system is put in place.

He said he was not opposed to a combined electoral system, but that parties representing minority communities that met in Colombo yesterday (19) agreed to oppose a significant reduction in the number of MPs elected under the proportional representation system.

The TNA, SLMC, JVP, JHU, CWC, LSSP and the CP were among the participating parties, he said.

According to him, the PR system has been fair by the minority communities in the country.

True democracy

True democracy opens doors for all communities, but that system too, can have its shortcomings, he admitted.

A dialogue is needed to rectify such shortcomings, he added.

The DPF leader said he would not accept the SLFP agreed electoral system, under which 165 MPs will be elected on the first-past-the-post system, 60 on the PR system and 25 appointed on the national list.

He said the highest possible number of MPs under the PR system should remain, adding that 80 could be a consideration, but 60 would never be accepted.