Video: When does President Rajapakse's second term begin?
There have been a number of confusing media reports after the results of the Presidential Election were announced on 27 January 2010 as to when the second term of Mahinda Rakapakse begins.
Rohan Edrisinha, Head of the Legal and Constitutional Unit of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) addresses this issue and other key concerns in a short video here:
In the video, Rohan clearly explains the relevant constitutional provisions governing the second term of the Executive President as well as the complex legal precedents (and blunders!) over the interpretation of the start date of the second term.
7 Comments
A decidedly unhealthy state of affairs with the constitution in a state of suspense with regard to the 17th amendment. 13th amendment to the constitution not implemented. An arbitrary 3rd amendment to the constitution under dispute.
Parliment not sitting for several months and now about to be dissolved. A vote on account in place of a budget. A flawed election with widespread misuse of state resources and funds and allegations of rigging. Politicisation of the military and state institutions etc.
Not good for the country at all. A poor reflection on the state of governance in Sri Lanka.
Are you think sri lankan election is honest?
The president may take office by November 2010 if he fails to take office by two weeks.
The third amendment clearly states article 31 (d) (i)
Let the President govern as long as he wants. What does it matter . There isn,t a capable man around other than Mahinda.
Even if the matter is refereed to the supreme court, what guarantees would there be that MR will follow the court's recommendations. He disregarded court's ruling on the abuse of state media during his campaign.
The president may take office by November 2010 if he fails to take office by two weeks.
The third amendment clearly states article 31 (d) (i)
This election is not valid. Govt violated so many election guidelines which include but not limited to mis use of public owned media and other assets, mis use of public officers, bribes to voters, mass scale vote rigging, threatening of election officers and altering election records. In other words it is another Saddam Hussein type election. This was confirmed by Election Commissioner’s post election speech. Foreign Govts should look into when they will be dealing with this illegally appointed President.