The Acting Attorney General has informed the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka that as per the current Constitution, the President’s tenure is interpreted as five years.
The Acting Attorney General notified the court in this regard when the petition filed seeking clarification on the President’s legal term was taken up for consideration in court today.
The petition is being heard before a 5-judge bench of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka consisting of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, and Justices Vijith Malalgoda, Murdu Fernando, Preethi Padman Surasena, and S. Thurairaja.
The petition, filed by businessman Chamindra Dayan Lenawa, seeks a clear interpretation of the President’s term in office, as the 19th Amendment defines the tenure as 05 years in one context and 06 years in another.
In his petition, the businessman emphasizes the need for the Court to clarify the exact duration of the President’s term and has called for an interim order to delay the upcoming presidential election until this interpretation is provided.
The outcome of this petition could have far-reaching implications for the political landscape and the upcoming presidential election which is currently expected to be held in October this year. (Newswire)