The Supreme Court Bench comprised Chief Justice Mohan Pieris PC, Justice K. Sripavan, Justice Chandra Ekanayake, Justice Priyasath Dep PC, Justice Eva Wanasundara, Justice Rohini Marasinghe, Justice B.P. Aluvihara, Justice Sisira de Abrew, Justice Sarath de Abrew and Justice Priyantha Jayawardena PC.

 

Earlier, the President sought a determination from the Supreme Court whether he has any impediment to be elected to the office of President for a further term by appealing to the people for a mandate after his second term in office. The matter was taken up for consideration by a full Bench of judges presided over by Chief Justice Mohan Peiris PC.

 

The President made the request in terms of provision 129 (I) of the Constitution.

 

The President sought a determination whether he, in terms of Article 31 of the Constitution as amended by the 18th Amendment, has any impediment after the expiration of four years from the date of commencement of his second term in office on the 19th of November 2010 to declare by proclamation his intention of appealing to the people for a mandate to hold office as President by election for a further term.  

 

Whether in terms of the provisions of the Constitution, he as the incumbent President serving his second term of office on the date the 18th Amendment was enacted has any impediment to be elected for a further term in office.

 

The Attorney General and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, were informed by the Registrar of the Supreme Court that written submissions in respect of the above mentioned questions will be entertained at the registry until 3pm on the November 7.

 

The Bar weighed in on behalf of the President and the majority of submissions were in his favour.

 

Thirty two of the thirty four written submissions were made in favour of the President.(kh)