Former Chief Justice Sarath Nanda Silva has said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa pushing for a third term and the Supreme Court ‘bowing’ to do his bidding is a clear overstepping of boundaries.

Just one day after the decision was announced to Parliament by the Leader of the House, former Chief Justice added that the decision itself proves the independence of the legal system of the country.

Leader of the House Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva informed the parliament yesterday that the Supreme Court had given its opinion stating that there was no barrier for President Mahinda Rajapaksa to contest for a third term as President. The Supreme Court had also informed that there is no legal barrier for the president to call for an election upon the completion of four years of his second term in office.

The Former Chief Justice also stated that the Supreme Court’s opinion on the incumbent President’s third term prevents other parties from legally challenging the move. “However, the matter can certainly be resolved before the people’s court,” the former Chief Justice asserted.

“All the judges of the Supreme Court have made their position clear on the matter. Therefore, a common citizen cannot go to courts challenging the President’s third term,” Silva said speaking to BBC Sandeshaya this morning,

Quoting the Supreme Court’s decision during a parliament session, Cabinet Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources ManagementNimal Siripala De Silva announced that the Supreme Court has given the verdict that there are no legal boundaries preventing President Mahinda Rajapaksa from competing for a third term Presidency.

Sarath N Silva maintained that this was the first time in the country’s history that a Supreme Court’s decision was announced during a parliamentary session.