SL judiciary gives green light to Rajapaksa contesting for third presidential term

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 11 November 2014, 14:46 GMT]
Leader of the House of the Sri Lankan Parliament and SL Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva informed the parliament on Tuesday that the SL Supreme Court was of the opinion that Mahinda Rajapakse had no legal impediment to contest for a third term in the presidential elections. SL President Mahinda Rajapaksa last Wednesday sought the Supreme Court’s opinion on the constitutionality to contest for a third term under the 18th Amendment to the Constitution. Genocidal Sri Lanka will be holding presidential elections in January 2015, almost two years ahead of the schedule.

The Sri Lankan Supreme Court on Monday communicated its opinion to SL president on the constitutionality of contesting for a third term under the 18th Amendment to the Constitution.

On 31 August 2010, a bill known as 18th Amendment was approved by Rajapaksa's cabinet stating that it was “urgent in the national interest”. Within a few days, the Rajapaksa regime ensured two-third majority needed to pass the 18th Amendment.

The 18 Amendment has further strengthened the executive powers of the SL president by removing the two-term limitation on the SL President and by removing the checks and balances placed against politicization of the public service and the SL police.

Mr Rajapaksa was elected for the second time in the presidential elections held on 26 January 2010.

Chronology: