Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who maintained a stoic silence over the 21st amendment for quite some time, has subscribed to expressing his views that negates the support for the amendment.

His intervention in the matter has changed the thinking of the majority of the SLPP Parliamentarians. Informed sources pointed out.

If a majority of the SLPP members decide against supporting the 21 st amendment, it would be an arduous task for the government to get it passed through Parliament.

If the government intends to pass it through Parliament without opposition, it should include a provision to abolish the executive Presidency, Mahinda Rajapaksa pointed out recently.

Such a provision may prompt the Supreme court to give a ruling necessitating the government to hold a referendum on the matter. Legal experts have pinpointed.

It is a sinister move by Mahinda Rajapaksa to sabotage the 21st amendment when the government was trying to stabilise the country with minimal political reforms, insiders say.

Meanwhile, it has come to light that Mahinda Basil and several others are indulging in an unhealthy practice to disrupt the 21st amendment brought before the House.

Besides, a few ministers are also likely to abstain from voting.