NUTA urges presidential polls to be held on or before January 08, 2020

The National University Teachers' Association (NUTA) has urged the President to seek the people's mandate by conducting the presidential polls on or before January 08 next year, upon completion of five years in office.

In a letter to President Maithripala Sirisena, the Asssociation expressed strong objection to the President's moves to seek the Supreme Court's opinion on the commencement of office.

"According to the 19th amendment, the term of the executive president will end five years from January 08, 2015 (the election day) or from May 15 (when the Speaker authorised the amendment to the constitution)," the letter emphasised.

NUTA also observed that the appointment of the new Chief Justice (CJ) was somewhat suspicious since MP Dayasiri Jayasekara had earlier told a news briefing that the President would seek the the Supreme Court's opinion of his term in office after the appointment of a new CJ.

The letter recalled that the Supreme Court in its verdict against the dissolution of Parliament, had held that it was the same individual who held office as President before and after the 19th amendment.

The Association termed the President's effort to seek a Supreme Court ruling as an "untimely, inappropriate, confusing, and unwise move".

The letter further urged that Presidential elections be held and in doing so open up opportunities for the people to exercise their mandate which would be more timely for the well being of those in the country.