Any effort to extend President’s term will scupper talks, SLPP warns SLFP

• Says any attempt extend Sirisena’s term would be undermining democracy 
• G.L. speculates appointment of new CJ could be to pave way for fresh SC appeal

By Nuwan Senarathna

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday warned the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) that any attempt to seek an extension of President Maithripala Sirisena’s term will undermine ongoing talks to form a coalition. 

Speaking to media at SLPP head office, SLPP Chairman Prof G.L. Peiris warned against the SLFP attempting to extend the term limit of President Sirisena, saying it would scupper ongoing talks between the SLPP and the SLFP to form a coalition and contest future polls together. The SLFP has not publicly said it will look to extend Sirisena’s term recently. However, SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera had earlier told media they may seek a fresh clarification from the Supreme Court on President Sirisena’s term. 

“This is a move to delay elections, which we cannot accept as this will hinder the democratic rights of the people,” said Prof. Peiris. He noted if SLFP tries to delay the Presidential election, that could affect the ongoing talks between two parties, as such a move could reduce the credibility of SLFP and its genuine intention of forming a political coalition. According to analysts, President Sirisena is still hoping for support from the SLPP, whose de-facto leader is Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, to contest a future election. 

Prof. Peiris pointed out that the Supreme Court had already announced its decision, and everyone should respect that decision. He said during the fourth round of talks between SLFP and SLPP, which were held on 9 May, SLFP’s General Secretary MP Dayasiri Jayasekara assured him that SLFP would not seek a Supreme Court opinion on the length of President’s term for a second time.

However, Prof. Peiris claimed the SLPP had received confidential inside information that another attempt to seek the Supreme Court’s opinion to extend the term of the President for a few more months was in the works. 

“This is a well-planned attempt, the current Chief Justice was the previous Attorney General who went to the Supreme Court on behalf of the President, to seek its opinion on the length of his term. Therefore, we have a genuine concern that there could be an attempt to extend the President’s term.”

He noted the SLPP will stand with the citizens to protect democratic rights. “If they try to seek the Supreme Court’s opinion, we will go to the Supreme Court to oppose it. The entire Joint Opposition (JO) will support us for this.”

He pointed out that the country had already faced challenges due to the delaying of Provincial Council Elections, and any attempt to delay the Presidential Election would cause more damage to the country. 

Prof. Peiris said the SLPP will inform the international community if SLFP tried to delay the Presidential Election and thereby attempt to hinder the democratic rights of citizens. “If they try to delay elections, we will inform all Heads of foreign missions based in Sri Lanka, and explain to them their attempts to stay in power,” he added. 

However, Prof. Peiris noted the SLPP would continue their talks with SLFP, and explain their views during upcoming meetings with SLFP representatives.

Pix by Lasantha Kumara