Presidential poll cannot be put off through referendum – Prof. Peiris 

Dissident SLPP MP Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (19) said it was not possible to postpone a presidential election with the help of a referendum.

The former External Affairs Minister explained how the law, pertaining to the referendum, couldn’t be exploited by the government to achieve its political objectives.

Addressing the media at his Kirula Road residence, Prof. Peiris said that presidential election would have to be conducted between Sept 17 and Oct 17 this year and the new President sworn in before Nov 17.

“We are confident the election will be held as scheduled,” the ex-Minister said, reminding the Election Commission that it would be its responsibility to issue an official statement as regards the scheduled poll in late July or early August this year.

Prof. Peiris said that the presidential poll couldn’t be put off through a 2/3 majority in Parliament. But that, too, wouldn’t be possible, the MP said, adding that abolition of executive presidency couldn’t be used to postpone national elections.

The former top law academic said that such vital constitutional reforms should be undertaken by an executive and Parliament properly elected by the electorate.

Prof. Peiris said that Ranil Wickremesinghe, who couldn’t retain his Colombo seat, was not acceptable as the person to lead constitutional reforms.

Responding to media queries, Prof. Peiris said that his group would back SJB leader Sajith Premadasa who could win the next election.

Prof. Peiris said that the government was in the process of strengthening anti-riot police in a bid to intimidate the Opposition. The ex-Minister revealed new equipment ordered by police headquarters to meet public protests while warning the Opposition couldn’t be silenced by what he called offensive laws such as the recently enacted Online Safety Bill and the proposed Anti-Terrorism Law (SF)