{"id":210652,"date":"2020-05-19T23:57:27","date_gmt":"2020-05-19T18:27:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=210652"},"modified":"2020-05-20T04:40:48","modified_gmt":"2020-05-19T23:10:48","slug":"once-parliament-could-not-meet-by-june-2-dissolution-proclamation-became-invalid-counsel-for-cpa-tells-sc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/once-parliament-could-not-meet-by-june-2-dissolution-proclamation-became-invalid-counsel-for-cpa-tells-sc\/","title":{"rendered":"Once Parliament Could Not Meet By June 2, Dissolution Proclamation Became Invalid: Counsel For CPA Tells SC"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ever since it became clear that the Parliament could not meet by June 2, the presidential proclamation dissolving the legislature became invalid in law, because it was no longer in line with the Constitution of Sri Lanka, Attorney at Law Viran Corea<\/span><\/a> told the Supreme Court on Tuesday (19).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Viran Corea and Geoffrey Alagaratnam<\/p><\/div>\n

Appearing for petitioner Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu<\/span><\/a>, Executive Director for the Center for Policy Alternatives on day two of the hearings in the case relating to the reconvening of Parliament, Viran Corea told the Court that the framers of the constitution had taken great pains to emphasize that a new Parliament must meet within three months of dissolution by the President,<\/p>\n

The President\u2019s powers under Article 70 (5) contained three mandatory duties, Counsel for Dr Saravanamuttu submitted. \u201cTo dissolve, set a date for election and to set a date for summoning the new Parliament,\u201d Corea explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cEver since it became clear that that the new Parliament cannot be summoned on the stipulated date, the dissolution proclamation has become invalid,\u201d he argued. \u201cThe impugned proclamation is not in line with the constitution and thus it is void,\u201d Corea said.<\/p>\n

Warning of an \u201cimminent danger\u201d Counsel for the CPA chief said that unless the proclamation is held as void a dangerous precedent would be set, where a vital organ of the state would cease to function for over the stipulated maximum of a three month period, for the first time in history.<\/p>\n

Corea urged the Supreme Court, which has the sole authority to interest the constitution in Sri Lanka, to grant leave to proceed in the case in order to prevent the constitution from being dismantled.<\/p>\n

No special power is vested on the President of Sri Lanka to dissolve Parliament except the power subject to the restrictions stipulated in Article 70 of the constitution, the Counsel for CPA said, referring to the judgment made in the 2018 dissolution case.<\/p>\n

He submitted that Art.70(5)(a) should be understood in a way that the discretion to call for an early election is subject to the condition that a new date is set to summon a new Parliament within 3 months. \u201cThese time limits are all components of the discretionary power to dissolve vested on the President,\u201d Corea told the five judge bench of the Supreme Court<\/p>\n

Explaining that the petitioner had come before the Supreme Court in order to protect the people’s right to franchise and their sovereignty, the Counsel argued that a free and fair election must be safe, adding that health experts had suggested holding an election under the present conditions was not safe.<\/p>\n

\u201cUntil such time a new parliament can be safely elected, the functions of the Parliament must continue,\u201d he argued.<\/p>\n

Corea submitted that Articles 33A and 42 of the Constitution stipulates that the President and the Cabinet are constitutionally responsible to the Parliament. Parliament also has full control of public finance, Corea explained. \u201cAccording to the terms of the constitution the functioning of the Parliament cannot be dispensed with\u201d he asserted.<\/p>\n

Appearing next for two petitioners, President\u2019s Counsel Geoffrey Alagaratnam<\/span><\/a> referred to the famous declaration: \u201cThe King is dead! Long live the kingdom\u201d to emphasize the importance of the continuity of Parliament.<\/p>\n

An election cannot be held by hook or crook, Alagaratnam PC submitted, it must also be free and fair.<\/p>\n

The President\u2019s Counsel asked if the Executive had made a responsible statement when he asserted recently that under no circumstances will he reconvene Parliament. \u201cThe essence of democracy is dissent, disagreement and debate. There is no democracy without dissent and shying away from it is not democratic,\u201d Alagaratnam PC submitted.<\/p>\n

When the constitution had provided for all things, there was no need to go beyond the constitution, he added.<\/p>\n

Representing the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader Rauff Hakeem<\/span><\/a> who is also a petitioner in the case Presidnet\u2019s Counsel Ikram Mohammed<\/span><\/a> said that the dissolution proclamation has ceased to be valid, inoperative and cannot be carried forward.<\/p>\n

Mohammed PC submitted that upon dissolution the Parliament continues, only the membership of members of Parliament ceases.<\/p>\n

He argued that the object and duty of the election commission is to conduct free and fair elections. He also submits that to ensure the same is also the duty of the President.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the elections were held now, the lines at the polling booths would extend to more than a kilometer. Is that practical? Would we all be willing to stand in those queues? Can social distancing be maintained?<\/p>\n

The Counsel for the SLMC leader said the Elections Commission had written what he called a \u201cbeautiful letter\u201d pointing out that according to the constitution Parliament must meet by June 2, 2020 and in order to do so, an election must be held by May 27\/28 at least but due to the pandemic situation, an election on those dates were not possible. \u201cEven the election commission has foreseen that there might be a constitutional problem as elections cannot be held before the 2nd June,\u201d Counsel for Hakeem noted.<\/p>\n

He submitted that the President could have obtained an opinion from the Supreme Court, but he has not done that, and that is why these actions had to be filed. He pointed out that all applicable principles of law had been decoded by the Supreme Court in its determination on the 2018 dissolution case. \u201cThe Supreme Court is the final guardian of fundamental rights, and there is no other place for us to go. This is the Supreme Court\u2019s solemn and sacred duty\u201d he submitted.<\/p>\n

Mohammed PC submitted that the President was also subject to the rule of law. \u201cHe is a creature of the constitution, and he is not above the law\u201d the Counsel noted.<\/p>\n

Proceedings will resume at 10AM on Wednesday (20) when respondents to the petitions will be heard. (By Chinthika de Silva)<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Related posts:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Fundamental Rights Petition Filed Against Holding Elections<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

The AG Must Give Truthful Accounts & Fair Representation To All Clients<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

President Vs. Parliament: Supreme Court Begins Hearings Today<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

A Country Without A Parliament Is No Democracy: Sumanthiran Argues As Hearings Begin On FRs<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Lanka May Cease To Be A Democracy By June 1 If Court Does Not Resolve Constitutional Deadlock: Counsel Suren Fernando<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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