There is no provision in the Constitution to present a No-Confidence Motion against the President, Attorney Prof. Prathiba Mahanamahewa said yesterday.
He said only an Impeachment Motion can be brought against the President according to the Constitution.
“The Impeachment Motion has a lengthy procedure. It has to be signed by two-thirds of MPs in Parliament. The Speaker must be satisfied with the signs. Then it goes to the Order Paper and the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has to hear the case and submit its report to Parliament and it has to be passed with a two-thirds majority. The charges have to be proved with evidence. It may take nearly one and a half years or two years,” he added.
“Today, Finance Minister Ali Sabry, PC, said he would come up with a new Budget. Coming up with a NCM at this stage is tricky. Through the new Budget, the Finance Minister may try to restore the supply of common goods and services to the people,” he remarked.
Commenting to the Daily News, he said that the Opposition should follow the Constitution and not try setting a new precedence.
“Under the 1978 Constitution, it is very clear that a No Confidence Motion (NCM) must be against the Prime Minister and Cabinet. That is when the Government failed to carry out their duties. It will take at least two weeks to be taken up for a vote. It needs only 113 votes to pass. If the Government is defeated from it, the Speaker will invite any Member of Parliament (MP) with the highest confidence of the Parliament to form a Government, but Parliament will not be dissolved.
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