Presidential tenure Futile to seek SC opinion again

By Ajith Siriwardana 
JVP MP Vijitha Herath said yesterday the Supreme Court (SC) had given a clear ruling that according to the 19th Amendment, the President’s term was five years and that there was no point in seeking its ruling again. 

• Says none can postpone poll any further and that it should be held by year end

He told a news conference that no one could postpone the presidential election any further and that it should be held at the end of this year. 

“There has been another discussion on the presidential tenure. Maithripala Sirisena took oath as President before the Chief Justice following the enactment of the 19th Amendment. So his term starts henceforth and extends to five years according to Clause 32(2) of 19A. President Sirisena’s term ends on January 8, 2020. On an earlier occasion, the SC ruled that his term commenced on January 9, 2015,” he said. 

Referring to the President being summoned before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Easter Sunday attacks, he said the President should appear before the PSC as he was answerable to Parliament.