Supreme Court solves issue regarding President's official term

Colombo (News 1st): These are several political views that are being expressed regarding the time frame of the Presidential Election. General Secretary of the SLFP Dayasiri Jayasekara yesterday (April 9) noted that the Supreme Court has solved the issue as to whether the Presidency is 5 years or 6 years. He noted that the president has five years, the problem, however, is as to when the five years begin. He went onto note that they are of the opinion that the Presidential election should be held after June 21st 2020, if they start counting the five years from June 21st 2015. UPFA Parliamentarian Vasudeva Nanayakkara also said that a general election can be expected if the tenure of the President does not end in November. However, the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna raised a different argument. Chairman of the SLPP Professor G. L. Peiris noted that the president according to clause 129 of the constitution, made an inquiry on the term. He said the unanimous decision of a five-judge bench was that the time frame was 5 years and now they are attempting to present a question, if not for 6 years can he at least stay for 5 and a half years. Peiris noted that they do not believe that these things are taking place according to the wants of President Maithripala Sirisena. He said these things are done by people who are around him for their own benefits. He stressed the legality is clear and according to the 19th amendment he cannot hold the post till June 2020. Meanwhile, Attorney-at-Law Lal Wijenayake who was a member of the committee to seek public opinion regarding compiling a new constitution expressed these views. He noted that it is clearly stated that the tenure begins on the day that results are declared, therefore, this argument will not work. He said clause 30.2 in the constitution states that the tenure is 5 years from the day the results are declared.