President’s term is only five years- SC

15 January 2018 01:29 am - 46 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Supreme Court has communicated to the Presidential Secretariat that President Maithripala Sirisena’s term was only five years, it is learnt.

Last week the President had made a reference to the Supreme Court seeking its opinion whether he could serve up to six years.

The five-member bench of the Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that the President’s term was restricted only to five years.

The bench comprised Chief Justice Priyasath Dep, Eva Wanasundare, Buvaneka Aluvihare, Sisira de Abrew and K. Chitrasiri.

The bench communicated its opinion to the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.

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Comments - 46

ananda Sunday, 14 January 2018 09:46 PM

Good decision although the AG opinion was 6 years. The term was reduced at the explicit request of Maitri. via DM Android App

Ram Monday, 15 January 2018 01:58 AM

MS has to honour his word that he is only one time president and not contest. Let's see who will join the run

Wewala Monday, 15 January 2018 03:12 AM

Anee Pawwww........

Premalal Monday, 15 January 2018 04:56 AM

Whether anyone likes it or not this looks like the correct decision.

Gobbaya Monday, 15 January 2018 05:04 AM

Give us enough for those who can work and serve well. Might not be enough for big talkers.

Unchikun Monday, 15 January 2018 05:09 AM

Aiyo!

Ratnamalala Monday, 15 January 2018 05:11 AM

It is best.Some ones dream fallen from the attic. People can elected a good person who loves to the nation and the country.

Jagath Leanage Monday, 15 January 2018 05:14 AM

We are very happy . After 5 years he can live peacefully . More than than that, there are some unwanted people who are trying to contest for presidency, if term is extended .

Francis Monday, 15 January 2018 05:16 AM

Damn good There is a limit for greed and blatant lies and broken promises

Jagath Leanage Monday, 15 January 2018 05:18 AM

Now with this decision , we are 100% sure that judiciary is free from political influence . Not like previous regime .

sam Monday, 15 January 2018 05:20 AM

Sri Lankans would like to welcome their new president by 2020.

ion Monday, 15 January 2018 05:53 AM

well done we the people of this country are very happy of this decision.What we expected of him has not been fulfilled by him.Simply his promises are just hollow.

Sunil de Silva Monday, 15 January 2018 05:59 AM

If the AG was correct when he advised that a curtailment of the six year term for which the electorate voted, amounted to an infringement of the right of franchise, and the SC ruling that it was valid curtailment of the term of office.Then should that part of 19A have been subjected to a Referendum?

De Silva Monday, 15 January 2018 06:15 AM

Good.

sun Monday, 15 January 2018 06:22 AM

All our Presidents past or present get confused after becoming the Head of State. Power hungry or Ego?

DJ Monday, 15 January 2018 06:36 AM

Hope our leader learnt a lesson from this. Live by your word as leader this clearly showed that our leader is just the same as the rest of the politicians. This will defginitely leave a bad taste in the peoples minds

kumar Monday, 15 January 2018 06:38 AM

If it is a unanimous decision how did AG argued it was six?. He seems to be at odds with the law, there is something seriously wrong some where with AG,s advice.

BE FAIR Monday, 15 January 2018 06:44 AM

Yup seems "Yahapalanaya" at work. kudos to the honourable SC Judges. Great decision.

Peter Monday, 15 January 2018 07:42 AM

Mr President since you are the Supreme Commander in the country, appoint yourself as the life time President!You have no shame to ask for extension of your office.

Jude Monday, 15 January 2018 08:01 AM

Whoa!! Hmmmm, RW get your campaign team ready!!??

Andy Capp Monday, 15 January 2018 08:10 AM

So now we know! A new face is needed and I am ready. My face is rarely seen thanks to my CAPP.

MSR Monday, 15 January 2018 08:13 AM

Thank God for that decision!

LMAO Monday, 15 January 2018 08:27 AM

I don't have words to describe my feelings.

Ronnie Bugger Monday, 15 January 2018 12:05 PM

What are they - positive or negative ?

dulan Monday, 15 January 2018 08:35 AM

Well done.It was so obvious according to the 19th amendment and one wonders how the AG decided otherwise.

Ronnie Bugger Monday, 15 January 2018 08:36 AM

Looks like 'janadipathi illan kewa wage' this time.

ANTON Monday, 15 January 2018 08:40 AM

TIKAK ADU KARANDA BARIDA ???

Yahiya Monday, 15 January 2018 08:51 AM

Freedom of judiciary is highly appreciated. All the credit must go to President.

umen Monday, 15 January 2018 08:55 AM

Well done SC, it would have been devastating for SL if this disastrous UNP-SLFP combination continue for additional year

Rohana Monday, 15 January 2018 09:05 AM

Attorney general should resign, He was bias in his opnion

Missaka Monday, 15 January 2018 09:16 AM

Stick to the word Mr. President.

voter Monday, 15 January 2018 09:21 AM

To a certain extent the supreme court seems to be independent !!.Happy to notice. Now the question would they have given the same ruling during MR's period and would MR have adhered to it??

Sathees Monday, 15 January 2018 09:22 AM

So, 2 years left to learn and use the sward.

SAM Monday, 15 January 2018 09:24 AM

SCRAP the Presidency and face the General Elections for PMs post.

Dharshana Monday, 15 January 2018 09:24 AM

Given that the ruling is unanimous, we can now conclude the underlying factor here: that the Attorney General does not have a proper understanding of the constitutional law of Sri Lanka.

Indrajith Monday, 15 January 2018 09:42 AM

Democracy is still intact.

KOLA KOTIYA Monday, 15 January 2018 09:45 AM

WE RESPECT SC VERDICT. LIKE MAHINDA MS WILL NOT REPLACE CJ ?

Krishantha Monday, 15 January 2018 09:46 AM

What a good news

Daham Monday, 15 January 2018 09:50 AM

Attorney General should resign now.

rew Monday, 15 January 2018 10:01 AM

And the abolition of the position by 2020.

Leel Monday, 15 January 2018 10:06 AM

Attorney General was wrong. He said it is legal. His interpretation is wrong. He doesn't know the low. It shows his incompetence. He should not work as Attorney General fro now on.

IK Monday, 15 January 2018 10:23 AM

Everybody makes mistakes.

michael Monday, 15 January 2018 10:22 AM

Ranils Prayers @ temples seem to have worked.

Kamal Monday, 15 January 2018 10:24 AM

People voted Mr Sirisena for 100 days Presidency, so he should have gone long before as promised by him in his election time.

Jagath Leanage Monday, 15 January 2018 10:26 AM

Previous regime , Supreme court decisions were taken at temple trees . Now adays, judiciary decisions are taken by Supreme court judges .

tagate Monday, 15 January 2018 11:54 AM

How can people trust this AG too to expedite last regime massive frauds?

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President’s term is only five years- SC

Comments - 46

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