The recent legislative election in Sri Lanka left the government six seats short of a two-thirds majority. This figure is important because it would mean that the government could amend the constitution without the support of the opposition.

Yesterday, there was a report from the official government news service that two opposition deputies had defected from the opposition UNP to the governing party. There is a picture of the president with the two deputies. In addition, one UNP has already declared that he will support the constitutional changes. Therefore, the government is now just three short of a two-thirds majority.

Given the government’s constitutional plans would put an end to semi-presidentialism in Sri Lanka, this day seems to be drawing ever nearer.