A statement from the Opposition Leader's office said the MPs requested the Speaker to take this step in relation to the request made by Election Commission Chairman Nimal Punchihewa from the Speaker, to intervene in ensuring that the local government election is held. A request to this effect was made by the polls chief in writing recently.

The MPs have also requested that the House should be convened before March 8, on which it was to meet initially.

“The MPs requested that the legislature should make sure that people’s sovereignty is safeguarded. They have also informed him that all local bodies will soon be administered by a representative of the President and that apparently they will come under the President.

Speaker Abeywardena had said there should be a consensus between the ruling party and the opposition MPs for whatever steps which the House is to take with regard to the local polls.(Yohan Perera)