The petition filed by businessman C.D. Lenawa preventing the calling of a Presidential election has been dismissed by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. 

The Judgement on the petition was issued today by the five-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya.

The Fundamental Rights Petition filed by businessman Chamindra Dayan Lenawa sought 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 emphasised the need for the Court to clarify the exact duration of the President’s term and called for an interim order to delay the upcoming presidential election until this interpretation is provided.

Meanwhile, three intervening petitions were also filed, including by the Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the National Peoples Power (NPP), concerning the FR petition filed by businessman Lenawa. 

The petition by the businessman was taken up for hearing today before the 5-judge bench of the Supreme Court consisting of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, and Justices Vijith Malalgoda, Murdu Fernando, Preethi Padman Surasena, and S. Thurairaja.

During the hearing of the petitions earlier today, the Acting Attorney General informed the Supreme Court that as per the current Constitution, the President’s tenure is interpreted as five years. 

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)

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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)

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe supports the National Election Commission’s decision to hold the Presidential Election in 2024, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

The PMD further said the President is firmly of the opinion that the term of the President is 5 years.

The President’s statement comes in response to a petition submitted to the Supreme Court on Wednesday by businessman Chamindra Dayan Lenawa requesting an interpretation of the tenure of the current President in accordance with the Constitution.

As per the PMD, President Ranil Wickremesinghe states Chamindra Dayan Lenawa has not consulted the President or his lawyers before filing this Application in the Supreme Court.

Issuing a statement, the PMD said it has been brought to the attention of the Government that one Chamindra Dayan Lenawa has filed an Application in the Supreme Court under and in terms of Articles 126 read with Articles 12(1), 82(6), 3, 4, 118 and 125 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka praying, inter alia, for a declaration that Article 30(2) should not be interpreted to be amended ab initio by Section 3 of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

In his petition, Chamindra Dayan Lenawa claims that accordingly, the Election Commission shall hold the next presidential election taking into account that the term of the office of the President is 6 years.

The petitioner has sought an interim order restraining the members of the Election Commission from taking any further steps in conducting a Presidential Election in 2024 until the Supreme Court determines this Application. (Newswire)

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