Constitutional Council rejects President’s proposal to extend AG’s term

The Constitutional Council yesterday rejected President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s proposal to extend the term of office for Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam (PC) by another six months.

Official sources said that the recommendation was discussed at length in the Constitutional Council and due to the existence of various disagreements; it was decided to hold a poll. Five votes were received against the recommendation and only three votes were received in favour of it.  

The CC yesterday met at the Parliament complex under the chairmanship of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.  

Although the Constitutional Council met on two previous occasions to consider the President’s recommendation to extend the service of the Attorney General, it was not possible to take a final decision.  

The President made this recommendation to extend the service of the Attorney General until 31st of December. Attorney General Rajaratnam’s term of service is scheduled to end on the 26th of this month.