The Supreme Court yesterday delivered the much awaited judgement on the dissolution of Parliament declaring that the President cannot dissolve Parliament before four and a half years from its first sitting unless with a two thirds majority in Parliament.
After delivering the judgment, the politicians and the law professionals who were at the Supreme Court premises expressed their views to the media.
UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa said they express their heartfelt gratitude for the impartial and independent court for upholding justice.
He said it was a great victory for the citizens who respect and cherish justice and democracy.
He also requested his supporters and those who respect democracy to enjoy this victory without hindering or harassing others as it is not decent politics in a democratic society.
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said Parliament should pass the legal provisions to punish those who responsible for the October 26 coup.
According to him, it would be the next step in the process towards passing the 20th Amendment to the Constitution for abolishing the Executive Presidency and then going for a General Election to see a fresh-mandated Parliament.
“President Maithripala Sirisena and MP Mahinda Rajapaksa who were responsible for the October 26 coup played this game with nothing other than our country,” the JVP Leader said.
“The President, with this Supreme Court judgement has to act constitutionally without dragging the country towards anarchy.”
“This is the worst attack against the country’s Constitution. The coup was implemented to form an illegal government through an illegal power. It was not for the people or the country,” he said.
MP Dinesh Gunewardene commenting on the Supreme Court decision said there were several other cases pending in courts on the recent political issue and one has to wait for their outcome as well.
The MP said whatever the decision of the Courts, it was the people who should have the final say with regards to choosing their future political representatives.
Gunewardene went on to say that the court decision does not mean people have rejected polls and added the people will decide who will govern the country at a future election.
MP Namal Rajapaksa said the United National Party is the only political party which does not want to have an election.
However, today the Supreme Court has declared a verdict. Although we are not in agreement with this verdict, this the highest court that we can go to.
“If the country’s apex court believes that it should not go beyond the people’s sovereignty, we have to carry forward our struggle with the people,” Rajapaksa said.
When asked about the next action to be taken by them, he said that they would go ahead as a team under a broad alliance.
All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) Leader MP Rishad Bathiudeen said this victory is not just a victory against unconstitutional dissolution but a triumph for Parliamentary democracy itself.
He added: “This is not just a victory against the dissolution of Parliament, but a triumph for Parliamentary democracy itself and a boost for the 19th Amendment itself. We congratulate all other parties of the UNF, the media and all others activists, for their commitments towards this victory”.
TNA Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran said the President now should act according to the decision announced by the courts.
Attorney-at-Law Premanath C. Dolawatte who was an intervener of this case representing the respondent party said that they must respect the judgement delivered by the Supreme Court and they accept the verdict.
“Postponing the election without going to the people is a temporary victory,” he said.
“We intervened in this case to uphold the people’s sovereignty. Therefore, we would not hesitate to appear on behalf of the people at any time,” he said.
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