MR has no chance of contesting again: Wijeyadasa

• Insists no legal basis for claim former presidents can contest 
• Dismisses speculation of possible Rajapaksa candidacy in 2019   
• Says individuals cannot seek opinion of the Supreme Court

Higher Education and Cultural Affairs Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe yesterday dampened any hopes of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa contesting for a third term, insisting he is not eligible to run for the 2019 presidential election.

The Minister, speaking at a press conference held yesterday, claimed that according to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, neither former President Mahinda Rajapaksa nor Chandrika Kumaratunga is qualified to contest in the upcoming presidential election contradicting an argument brought forward by some political groups.

Last week, different support groups of Mahinda Rajapaksa argued that the changes in the 19th Amendment will not apply to the former President and he would be able to contest the upcoming elections.

The Minister pointed out that some groups are trying to establish a notion that former President Rajapaksa could contest in the coming Presidential Election based on certain legal arguments.

Minister Rajapakshe also stressed that according to the provisions of the Presidential Election Act, there can be serious consequences for a disqualified person handing over nominations to contest in a presidential election. The act provides to take serious legal action against anyone who hands over nominations if disqualified from running for office.

“When a person wants to contest in a presidential election, the candidate has to hand over the nomination along with an affidavit or a written statement confirming that the person is not disqualified from contesting as a candidate. If a person who has held office twice requests to compete as a candidate for a third term, that person will also have to give a sworn statement saying that he or she is not disqualified to contest. If such a statement be given, that would become a false statement.  It will become a lie. According to the Penal Code Provisions, a person giving a false sworn statement will be subjected to three years imprisonment.” Minister stressed.

Further, he said that private persons cannot seek the opinion of the Supreme Court as some political factions have said they would do to clarify the situation.

“Only the President has that privilege,” he said.