Objecting to the holding of the presidential election and the general election on the same day, besides other issues, Sri Lanka's coalition party, the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), has withdrawn two of its ministers from the Mahinda Rajapaksa-led government.
Technology, Research and Atomic Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and Western Provincial Council Minister Udaya Gammanpila have resigned from their ministerial portfolios, reports the Colombo Page web site.
They are no longer be representatives of the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA).
The JHU has reportedly called for the passing of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution and the reinstatement of the 17th Amendment.
The proposals also ask the government to abolish the preferential vote system, grant powers to the Prime Minister, limit the President's cabinet portfolios to Minister of Defense.
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