UNF requests Speaker to convene party leaders' meeting

[TamilNet, Thursday, 06 November 2003, 12:24 GMT]
The United National Front Thursday requested the Speaker Mr.Jospeh Michael Perera to convene a conference of the leaders of all political parties represented in the parliament to discuss the present political situation, sources said.

In a letter to the Speaker, UNF chief whip and minister Mr.Mahinda Samarasinghe said urgent necessity has arisen to discuss the President's action in proroguing the parliament for two weeks and the dismissal of three ministers without consulting the Prime Minister, the sources said.

Government spokesman and Minister Mr.G.L.Peiris said that the State of Emergency could be in force for a period of maximum 10 days, after that parliamentary approval is necessary to extend it, the sources said.