Consideration of Gota's citizenship petition adjourned till tomorrow

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The consideration of the petition at the Court of Appeal regarding Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s citizenship has been adjourned until 9:30 am tomorrow (October 03). The petition was filed by Professor Chandragupta Thenuwara and Gamini Viyangoda seeking a stay order on accepting Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Sri Lankan Citizenship. President's Counsel Shanaka de Silva noted that the president did not have executive powers to issue dual citizenship back in November 2005, soon after the Presidential election. He argued that the President only receives powers once the cabinet is appointed and the powers of the respective ministers were vested with them. However, President's Counsel, Romesh de Silva who represents Gotabaya Rajapaksa, countered that the President did have powers to issue dual citizenship as a cabinet did not exist immediately after a presidential election. He further added that the President is the office that distributes powers to the cabinet and that he also has the authority to retain certain powers. He finally added that the petition should be dismissed as it is based on political vengeance.