FR petition seeks SC clarification on term of current President 

A fundamental rights petition was filed in the Supreme Court yesterday seeking an order to prevent the Election Commission from conducting the Presidential Election until the Court decides on the term in office of the incumbent President.

The Petition was filed by C.D. Lenawa, a businessman.

The Petitioner said that the SC must clarify the duration of the President’s term and called for an interim order to delay the upcoming Presidential election until SC gives its interpretation.

The Petition comes weeks after the UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara proposed that a referendum be held to postpone both Presidential and Parliamentary elections by two years to extend President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s term to continue ongoing economic reforms.

However, the President has distanced himself from these views and said the elections will be held on time. The main opposition parties have opposed this move. The ruling SLPP which is backing the President has also said they are against the postponement of any election.

Meanwhile opposition MP Professor G.L. Peiris said yesterday that the FR petition filed seeking a postponement of the Presidential elections has no substance.

“The term of office of the President is very clearly stated in the Constitution and it is five years. Any attempt to postpone it is a blatant violation of the Constitution,” he said.

He added the incumbent President cannot remain in office even one day after his term lapses and that the Samagi Jana Sandanaya would challenge any such move.