Speaker to be elected with two-third majority?

The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) has expressed confidence that the new Speaker of the new Parliament could be elected with a two-third majority.

Informed sources said the UPFA could obtain the support of several Opposition parliamentarians as well as the Speaker would be picked by a secret vote. “The UPFA could secure 143-145 seats after Tuesday’s re-poll in Nawalapitiya and Trincomalee. The remaining few votes would definitely come from the Opposition as some members are planning to use it as a protest vote against the UNP leader,” he said.

Though only a simple majority is needed for the appointment of the Speaker, the UPFA plans to show its strength and show the Opposition that introducing a new Constitution with a two-third majority in future would not be a problem.