Meanwhile, a SLFP minister has told ‘Sri Lanka Mirror' that President Maithripala Sirisena has decided to dissolve parliament and call for a general election if a no-confidence motion is moved against the prime minister before the passage of the 20th amendment to the constitution.

The president has told UPFA leaders not to sign the no-confidence motion if they want to see the amendment passed.

A Mahinda loyalist, Ratnapura district MP Ranjith de Soyza has told a public meeting that the no-confidence motion would be handed over irrespective of whoever opposes it.

The president’s main objective now is to prevent the tabling of the no-confidence motion and the passing of the 20th amendment, said the minister.