Sirisena seeks Supreme Court's opinion for six-year term
Colombo: In an unusual move, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has sought the Supreme Court's opinion if he could be the president for six years, a request which contradicts the amendment he introduced to reduce the presidential term to five years.
Sirisena, 66, spearheaded the 19th amendment (19A) to the Constitution in 2015 to prune the presidential term from six to five years.
The president's term should end in 2020, but has sought the Supreme Court's opinion if he could continue until 2021.
The Registrar of the Supreme Court yesterday informed the members of legal fraternity that the consideration by the apex Court has been listed for January 11, officials said.
It said the President had requested an opinion which read, "whether in terms of provisions of the Constitution, I as the person elected and succeeding to the office of President and having assumed such office in terms of Article 32 (1) of the Constitution on January 9, 2015, have any impediment to continue in the office of President for a period of 6 years from January 9, 2015".
The request stands in direct contrast to Sirisena's action of backing the civil society's demand to abolish the presidency when he offered to be the Opposition's common candidate in 2015.
Instead of abolishing it, Sirisena introduced the 19A amendment which reduced the presidential term to five years while taking away the absolute control over the dissolution of parliament.
Sirisena's announcement has come amidst the ongoing differences with his coalition partner, the United National Party (UNP) which is headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sirisena's main backer in the 2015 election against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Sirisena defeated Rajapaksa with a clear reform agenda in 2015.
The President of late has criticised the UNP publicly and some party members have also been critical of him.
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CM Siddaramaiah visits Minister Sudhakar in hospital
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday visited Minister D Sudhakar in hospital and said doctors would take a decision on further treatment after the latter regains consciousness.
The Planning and Statistics Minister Sudhakar fell ill following a severe lung infection. He is still in the intensive care unit.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Electronic City, Siddaramaiah said, "Sudhakar has not yet regained consciousness. The doctors will take a decision tomorrow."
Responding to a query on whether a lung transplantation would be carried out, the CM said, "If a transplant has to be done now, he must regain consciousness. He is not conscious now. The doctors will take a decision."
Asked about the minister's condition, Siddaramaiah said he is stable now, but on ventilator support.
"All other organs are functioning well and he is stable. The brain has not yet regained consciousness," he said.
On further medical evaluation, Siddaramaiah said, "The doctors will do a CT scan tomorrow. After that, they will know. They will take a decision."
The doctors briefed the CM on the treatment being administered. Siddaramaiah also interacted with the minister's family members.
VIDEO | Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday visited Minister D Sudhakar in hospital and said doctors would take a decision on further treatment after the latter regains consciousness.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 25, 2026
The Planning and Statistics Minister Sudhakar fell ill following a severe lung… pic.twitter.com/qyfuUkAca1
