The President’s proposal to extend the tenure of Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam by another 6 months, which was rejected the first time, has been refused by the Constitutional Council for the second time today (26).
The Constitutional Council chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene met at his official residence tonight (26) to examine the proposal presented by the President for the second time.
A vote has been held and 5 members have voted against the relevant proposal and 3 members have voted in favor.
Previously, the proposal was considered on the 18th. On that day too, only 3 votes were received in favor of the President’s proposal. The motion was defeated with five votes against.
Earlier this month, the President recommended a six-month extension to Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam. The Constitutional Council, which met on the 10th, postponed the approval of this service extension, which requires the approval of the Constituent Assembly. The Constitutional Council met on the 18th and rejected the decision.
The President resubmitted the same proposal for the second time.
There was strong opposition from the society regarding the President’s request to extend the service to the retiring Attorney General. The Catholic Church strongly objected to it saying that the President is going to extend the service of the Attorney General by using the Catholic Church.
Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam will retire by the end of this month. President’s Attorney Sanjay Rajaratnam was sworn in as the 48th Attorney General of Sri Lanka on 26 May 2021.
Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam gets a service extension!