The United National Party today alleged the plans were afoot by President Maithripala Sirisena to dissolve Parliament to dissolve Parliament, despite constitutional provisions banning the President from a premature dissolution of Parliament. 

The 19th Amendment to the constitution, of which Sirisena is a co-architect, explicitly says the President cannot dissolve Parliament before four and a half years into its term unless requested otherwise by a two-thirds majority. 

Addressing a press conference at Temple Trees this afternoon, former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka said the President might resort to a premature dissolution of Parliament, he has had failed to muster a majority support for his Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa. 

Meanwhile, n a Facebook Live video from Parliament a short while ago, UNP parliamentarian Ajith P Perera also said President Sirisena was planning to dissolve Parliament prematurely, in violation of the Constitution.

"The dissolution may even happen tonight," he added. 

It is also learnt that President Sirisena's group has also sought the opinion of legal experts on the possibility of holding a referendum on forming a "Caretaker Government" with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister.