President seeking to circumvent 19A? … asks SC if he can complete six-year term
Posted on January 9th, 2018
by Chitra Weerarathne Courtesy The Island
President Maithripala Sirisena, who publicly proclaimed several times, that he had voluntarily agreed to get his term of office reduced from six years to five through the 19th Amendment passed in April 2015, making it a world record by a sitting leader, has now asked the Supreme Court whether he can complete the original six year term.
A source close to the President yesterday confirmed that the Head of State had, in fact, asked the highest court for its opinion on the matter.
President Sirisena has asked the Supreme Court “Whether, in terms of Provisions of the Constitution, I, as the person elected and succeeding to the office of President and having assumed such office in terms of Article 32(1) of the Constitution on 9th January 2015, have any impediment to continue in the office of President for a period of six years from 9th
January 2015, the date on which the result of my election to the office of President was declared”.
Consequently, Supreme Court Registrar Mrs M.M. Jayasekera has written to the President/Secretary of the Bar Association yesterday stating “I have been directed by His Lordship the Hon Chief Justice to inform you that His Excellency the President, in terms of Article 129(1) of the Constitution, has referred to this court (regarding the above) for its consideration and for an opinion to be submitted to His Excellency on or before 14th January 2018.
“I shall be pleased, if you could inform to the membership that the above mentioned reference will be listed on 11th January 2016 at 11:00 am in the Supreme Court.”
The Bar Association Secretary in turn yesterday sent notices to its membership to make their observations to the court tomorrow as requested by it as per ‘Supreme Court Reference 01/2018’.
The Island learns that the SC Registrar has made a similar request to the Attorney General.
January 9th, 2018 at 9:55 pm
Get lost you con master and cheater without giving more hardships to poor people in this country. Five years is more than enough. You said you will rule the country from pollonnaruwa. You said you will not use helicopters like Mahinda did. You said you will not spend money on unnecessary tamashas and big parties. You said no more cutouts of any politicians or yours on the roads or anywhere. You said you will bring cost of living down. You said you will give jobs to youths and free bikes,cars, WiFi and many more goodies but unfortunately we haven’t got anything my dear Sirisena so what the heck you are talking about to stay another one year more? Enough go home and take rest without thinking of coming back. You have not solved any of our problems except you solved only the politicians problems. So good bye Aiyo Sirisena.
January 10th, 2018 at 12:47 am
He should make a bold decision on PM who is unable to speak in parliament, first. People will decide on 6yr term or the next 5yr term. If the court can decide why did they put it to all and sundry?.