Cabinet illegal, Prez has power to appoint PM: Sarath

16 February 2018 08:01 am - 28 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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In another conundrum to the present gridlock in governance, former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva argued yesterday that the entire Cabinet including the Prime Minister stood illegal at the moment as the two year period stipulated for the national unity government had ceased.

The former Chief Justice told the Daily Mirror that the Cabinet should be restricted to 30 and the number of deputy and state ministers to 40 in terms of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

However, he said there was a separate constitutional provision to increase the number to 45 Cabinet Ministers in the event of a national government.

He said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe moved a resolution in Parliament for the establishment of a national government in conformity with an agreement signed between UNP General Secretary Kabir Hashim and SLFP General Secretary Duminda Dissanayake.

As the entire two year period stipulated for the unity government lapsed in December, he said, the entire Cabinet had been rendered illegal at the moment.

“Interestingly, the parties that were in the national government went before the people at the local government elections separately,” he said.

He said the President now had the power to appoint someone commanding parliamentary majority, in his opinion, as the Prime Minister.

“Then, the Cabinet Ministers can be appointed on the Prime Minister’s advice,” he said. (Kelum Bandara)

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Comments - 28

Brainmaster Friday, 16 February 2018 12:43 AM

Cant trust him. He gave by purpose a false judgement MR tsunami Hambantota . via DM Android App

citizen Friday, 16 February 2018 08:21 AM

Going by the 'illegal and bias judgements' this man gave as "Chief Justice", no one should take his opinion seriously. Sarath, why don't you crawl back to your little hole and save the people from your yarns.

Ume Friday, 16 February 2018 04:42 PM

It is not an opinion, its a good legal argument.

ralahamy Friday, 16 February 2018 05:13 PM

Who cares about your opinion?

CITIZEN Friday, 16 February 2018 08:22 AM

Put to your 2-CTS worth opinion into the dustbin without further disgracing yourself! There are much better legal advisors in the Government who won't give subjective opinions like you!

Unchikun Friday, 16 February 2018 08:24 AM

Want you did was not only illegal but a disgrace to the law fraternity. I have not not and will not forget "Helping Hambanthota " when you name is mentioned.

gamini Friday, 16 February 2018 08:25 AM

tomorrow this same fellow will legally explain why the President cannot appoint another PM

alex Friday, 16 February 2018 08:26 AM

you have long lost your credibility Sarath with the verdict you gave for Helping Hambantota case which you yourself stated was wrong

PC Friday, 16 February 2018 08:29 AM

I simply wonder when 'gedara yana gaman' is ever going to keep his silly trap shut!

Francis Friday, 16 February 2018 08:30 AM

GEDARA YANA. GAMAN HAS WOKEN UP AGAIN

Lakminiha Friday, 16 February 2018 08:34 AM

Very soon he will say "Mama Karapu waradata Samavenna... Samavenna..."

D.E.M.O.Crazy Friday, 16 February 2018 08:37 AM

You are the most disgraced CJ ever produced by the world. You are fully responsible for the political turmoil we are facing today.

Rohitha Friday, 16 February 2018 08:58 AM

You have already inflicted enough damage to this country. Please keep your opinions for yourself.

dulan Friday, 16 February 2018 09:00 AM

You should be in Jail for life for giving a judgement which did not jail MR in Helping Hambantota Tsunami case where he robbed Rs.80m .A mere apology is not enough.

malij Friday, 16 February 2018 09:03 AM

This man is a non entity without any credibility at all. He has become a public nuisance. To some people, he is a joker in the pack.

siva Friday, 16 February 2018 11:06 AM

You are retired your lordship. Please enjoy your retirement and dont let present day politics disturb you

Ram Friday, 16 February 2018 11:23 AM

You were missing in action for a while. Now you have surfaced again to put your two cents worth of advise, later to say sorry to the people as you have made a mistake. Do you agree or agree to disagree

fareed Friday, 16 February 2018 11:27 AM

Devil reading the scripture.

con.com Friday, 16 February 2018 11:35 AM

Andare has spoken!!

APOLOGISER. Friday, 16 February 2018 01:52 PM

THE MAN WHO DISCHARGED HIS. DUTIES PERFECTLY() APPEARS TO UTTER NONSENSE AGAIN BUT THERE IS HARDLY ANYBODY TO LISTEN. via DM Android App

rush Friday, 16 February 2018 02:24 PM

Sarath you and me Know the law

Ad Friday, 16 February 2018 03:05 PM

Is n't SNDeS a convict himself?

Sri lankan Friday, 16 February 2018 04:17 PM

Please shut up!!!!!!!!!

A W Abdulkany Friday, 16 February 2018 08:10 PM

My God all the comments are against you. You have become a non person in Sri Lanka. Better fade away.

dickie bird Friday, 16 February 2018 09:53 PM

However.... consideration need to be given to this legal argument.If someone file in court against this illegality of the Coalition then this Legal argument will come into focus.Negative comments apart, lets just focus on the realities

Sincere Friday, 16 February 2018 10:00 PM

How can anyone trust you when you yourself apologized to the nation against your own judgement? No CJ has ever done it in this country, right?

Sudda Friday, 16 February 2018 10:39 PM

Ane manda sarath

chandra Saturday, 17 February 2018 05:39 PM

He has found good bone of Dog. Now he is testing it and this is enough for around 6 months.

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Cabinet illegal, Prez has power to appoint PM: Sarath

Comments - 28

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