Govt. insists on third term

3 October 2014 02:15 am - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Ahead of a planned snap presidential election, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the largest constituent party of the government, will initiate a public seminar series to drive home the point that President Mahinda Rajapaksa is constitutionally entitled to contest for the third time, informed sources said yesterday.

The party has decided to take this initiative amid concerns raised by some legal experts that the President was ineligible to contest for the third time despite the enactment of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution.

Earlier, former Chief Justice Sarath Nanda Silva argued the 18th Amendment to the Constitution was enacted only after the President was elected for his second term in January, 2010, and therefore the new law could not be applied retroactively.

Against this backdrop, the SLFP, headed by the President, decided to counter such legal arguments in public forums with the backing of legal experts loyal to the party.

Party’s National Organizer Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa is slated to convene a meeting of SLFP stalwarts to discuss this move.
The former Chief Justice told the media earlier the President was elected for his second term before the 18th Amendment, and therefore he could not be reelected.

The 18th Amendment was passed in September 2010. Mr. de Silva noted one principle notion was that the law was not retroactive, and therefore it could be applied to the future only. The 18th Amendment was incorporated into the Constitution in September 2010.

The President has already told his party members that he will call for a snap national election after November 19. (Kelum Bandara)

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Comments - 11

mount Friday, 03 October 2014 09:14 AM

LIKE SN SILVAS JUDGEMENT ON PETROLEUM PRICE.

mack Friday, 03 October 2014 10:47 AM

begging begins via DM Android App

Old citizen Friday, 03 October 2014 05:35 AM

Put forward your arguments in a court of law not in a public forum.

Aso San Friday, 03 October 2014 05:48 AM

Come on, follow the rules.

Concern Citizen Friday, 03 October 2014 06:58 AM

Government or "Rajapaksa's" insist on third term???????

Calistus Jayatilleke Friday, 03 October 2014 10:09 AM

[quote name="Old citizen"]Put forward your arguments in a court of law not in a public forum.[/quote]
Where do we find an independent court of law with upright judges in this country.

Prasad Friday, 03 October 2014 11:55 AM

Illegal Occupation through Force.

jay Friday, 03 October 2014 12:45 PM

Too bad Jayalalitha is npt in Srilanka. Also MR family dam lucky not in India.

Suq Madique Friday, 03 October 2014 12:45 PM

They make the rules as they go along so they will never lose. Only a rebellion by the masses will oust them but who is going to bell the cat?

Dr.Nonis idharmapala Friday, 03 October 2014 03:54 PM

government will win the president election by undemocratic

Ran Friday, 03 October 2014 04:00 PM

Yes, bring a simple law of banning elections!

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Govt. insists on third term

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