The TNA said it decided to attend the meeting convened by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa for ex-MPs as some pertinent issues which needed to be addressed by the now-defunct Parliament remained unaddressed.

The party said they wanted to clearly indicate that we are prepared to extend our co-operation to the resolution of these issues in a reasonable and acceptable manner in the interests of the Country and all its People.

"However, we wish to emphasize that the meeting summoned by you is not and cannot be a substitute for convening the Parliament. We are of the firm view that the Parliament must be convened as stated in our joint statement to deal with several constitutional and legal issues that have arisen, which Parliament alone can deal with," the party said, issuing a statement.

However, several opposition parties including the SJB, the JVP and the UNP, decided to boycott the meeting.