Sri Lanka's main opposition criticizes SLMC decision to support government's constitutional amendments

Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) is to meet next week to discuss the latest development in the local political scene following the decision of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) to support the government for a two-thirds majority in parliament to pass the proposed constitutional amendments
.The UNP has severely criticized the SLMC's decision to support the government for constitutional reforms.

The SLMC High Command decided Friday to extend the party's support to the proposed constitutional amendments put forward by the government.

The SLMC decision has now helped President Mahinda Rajapaksa to secure a two-third majority in parliament to pass the constitutional amendments.

UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya was quoted in the local media Saturday saying that the SLMC had contested past elections under the UNP symbol and that the SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem should have consulted the UNP leadership before arriving at any decision.

The SLMC at the last general election contested under the UNP led opposition alliance United National Front and returned eight MPs to parliament.

The UNP has already requested the government for a draft of the proposed constitutional amendments to decide on the party's stance.