Speaking to the Daily News, a senior spokesman of the government has said all political parties will be invited for the meeting which will discuss all the issues pertaining to the constitutional amendment at length.

"The President and the Prime Minister, who are also the leaders of the two main parties representing the Parliament, will openly discuss the views expressed by their MPs. The UNP, as a party, considers the 20th Amendment - which deals with electoral reforms - as a matter of great importance. However, there are practical difficulties in holding the next election under the new electoral system. The Prime Minister will communicate this to other political parties at the meeting," a senior Cabinet Minister who represents the UNP has told the Daily News on Friday 17).

He has also added that the Prime Minister might give an assurance to other parties on electoral reforms at the meeting which will be held today. "That will," the Minister has said, "will break the present deadlock on the 19th Amendment and make way for the SLFP to support constitutional reforms. The President and the Prime Minister are on the same page about this matter."

However, SLFP sources said a group of SLFP MPs, irrespective of the President's viewpoints on the matter, are still pushing for simultaneous electoral reforms alongside the 19th Amendment to the constitution.

Meanwhile, some party leaders, including NSSP Leader Wickramabahu Karunaratne who represent the National Executive Council, have strongly opposed the moves to introduce a new electoral system.

"All viewpoints will be taken into consideration at the all party meeting and all political parties will have to desist from requesting the pound of flesh. But, the government is hopeful that we will be able to arrive at a settlement on this matter at this meeting and its outcome will be the basis for the party leader's meeting on Monday," the government spokesman has added.