The Constitutional Council (CC) is to meet on December 12 to consider a name submitted by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for the appointment as a judge of the Court of Appeal.

The meeting will take place in the absence of an opposition leader because his or her name has not been announced by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya in the House.

With the change of government after the November 16 presidential elections, the opposition leader's post fell vacant. There is much wrangling within the United National Party (UNP) for the post with one faction asking for the appointment of MP Sajith Premadasa while General Secretary MP Akila Viraj Kariyawasam recommending party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

According to informed sources, the absence of the opposition leader has no legal impediment for the CC to proceed with its business. (Kelum Bandara)