Opposition United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinge says President Mahinda Rajapaksa has put himself in a fix on contesting for a third term in office.
The UNP leader told reporters today that implementing the 18th Amendment to the constitution has led to most of the issues on Rajapaksa contesting for a third term.
He said that by making some opposition members to join the Government to back the 18th Amendment at the time it was presented to Parliament was the biggest mistake the President had made.
Wickremesinge also said that the President cannot seek the opinion of the Supreme Court on an issue involving an individual and not a common issue or class class of citizens.
The President has already sought the opinion of the Supreme Court on if he can contest for a third term in office and the opinion is expected to be conveyed to the President tomorrow.
Wickremesinge says by seeking the opinion of the court even before elections are announced puts the Elections Commissioner in a spot as well as he can decide if a candidate can contest or not.
The UNP leader is of the opinion that the Elections Commissioner will not be able to take an independent decision on the issue once the holding of a Presidential election is announced and nominations are handed over, as the Supreme Court opinion will be used to influence his decision. (Colombo Gazette)
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