Sri Lanka President’s second term begins from 19 November 2010

The Supreme Court has informed yesterday to the President’s Office that the new term of his six year - the second term will begin from the date of his swearing in and that could take place within two weeks of November 19, 2010.

Earlier on the 1st of February, President Mahinda Rajapaksa consulted the Supreme Court under Article 129 of the Constitution for its opinion on the commencement of the second term in office.

In terms of the Constitution the opinion of the Court should be communicated to the President within 24 hours.

Accordingly a Bench of seven Supreme Court judges gave their ruling.

The Bench comprised Chief Justice Asoka de Silva, Justices Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, Jagath Balapatabendi, K. Sripavan, P.A. Rathnayake PC, Chandra Ekanayake and S.I. Imam.

They contended that the incumbent President sought the mandate from people for a further term of office of Presidency for 6 years.

They maintained that the people had given him the mandate of first term of his office for 6 years and that it cannot be abridged or truncated.

- Asian Tribune -