“Then the Supreme Court is bound to inform the President their opinion in such instances and they have done that. I did not read a court judgement here. I only said that the Supreme Court has informed him that there is no impediment to him to contest for a third term and he is entitled to issue a proclamation under 31 (a). I thought it is my duty to do it. I fulfilled my duty as the Leader of the House. We have nothing to hide,” the minister said.
 
Minister De Silva said so in response to an inquiry made by the Opposition with regard to the opinion of the Supreme Court with regards to the eligibility of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to seek re-election for a third term.
 
The Minister said that the Government was not bound to table in the House the full text of the opinion of the Supreme Court. “According to the provisions of the constitution, if a bill is challenged before the Supreme Court, its determination is sent to the Speaker and he in turn informs the House. It is such determination that is tabled in the House. The Chief Opposition Whip is also a lawyer. He must study the Constitution. Under the Constitution, the President can seek the opinion of the Supreme Court in some instances,” he said. (Special Reporter/HC)