President Maithripala Sirisena who came to power with the promise of totally abolishing the Executive Presidency has now sought the opinion of the Supreme Court whether he could function as the Executive President until 2021. 

With the 19th Amendment to the constitution, the term of the President was reduced to five years. President Sirisena then went on record saying he was the only leader in the would who sacrificed one year of his Presidential term, vluntarily

It has now been revealed that President Maithripala Sirisena has sought the opinion of the Supreme Court on whether he could continue in office for 6 years from January 09, 2015, the date on which the results of the last Presidential election was declared. 

The question the President has asked from the Supreme court is as follows - "Whether, in terms of provisions of the constitution, I, as the person elected and succeeding to the office of President and having assumed such office in terms of Article 32 (1) of the constitution on 09th January 2015, have any impediment to continue in the office of President for a period of 6 years from 09th January 2015, the date on which the results of my election was declared." 

The term of the current Parliament will expire in August 2020 and the President's question indicates that he wishes to continue in office even after the official term of the current Parliament. 

The matter will be argued in court on Thursday (11).