7 September 2020 02:55 pm
The ‘Immunity of President from suit’ as proposed in the 20th Amendment to the Constitution is not for the President’s benefit but to provide an uninterrupted service to the people, SLPP Chairman and Minister Professor G.L.Peiris said today.
Article 35 (1) of the proposed 20A says, “While any person holds office as President, no proceedings shall be instituted or continued against him in any court or tribunal in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by him either in his official or private capacity.”
Speaking at a news briefing at SLPP Office, Minister Peiris said the President would not have time to serve the people effectively, as long as the 19A prevails, since the President has to make appearances in courts.
He said a considerable time has to be allocated for courts and court related matters if cases were filed against the President.
“I know this personally. Before elected, Gotabaya Rajapaksa was taken to courts, and had to appear in commissions and special courts established out of usual procedure based on revenge. Will he have to do the same when elected President? If that's the situation, the time allocated to implement the pledges made in ‘Vistas for Prosperity’ will be limited. That's why the immunity is needed,” he said.