The Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Jathika Hela Urumaya and common candidate Maithripala Sirsena further affirm that there will be a general election after 100 days if the common candidate comes to power.

The agreement, while repeatedly referring to the term “short-term goals”, says the period after the presidential election and before the parliamentary election is an “interim period” during which political reforms would be introduced, strengthening democracy and good-governance. It clearly states that the proposed political reforms would be introduced within a period of 100 days.

This means the JHU and the common candidate have also agreed to for a parliamentary election under a new electoral system after the “interim period” of 100 days.

The new electoral system will provide for the just representation of all communities and political opinions and will be a mix of the first-past-the-post system, which ensures that every electorate has its own Member of Parliament, and proportional representation.

The agreement between the two parties suggests a multi-party government which is dubbed as a “national unity government” in which ministerial responsibilities are shared among all members of the government. It is also in line with the MOU signed by parties of the common opposition on Monday at Viharamahadevi Open Air Theatre.