SLFP Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said President Maithripala Sirisena established judicial independence by seeking the Supreme Court's opinion on the duration of his term. 

"He did not influence the Supreme Court judges. He accepted the opinion of the judiciary," Samarasinghe said, addressing a UPFA election rally in Colombo.

"When formulating the President's development plans, his policy makers raised a question about the duration of his term. That's why the President went to the Supreme Court," Samarasinghe added.

"The President takes action against corruption irrespective of party loyalties," the Minister said. 

"One such example was the Bond Commission. The other example was asking the Uva Province Chief Minister to resign from his ministerial position," Samarasinghe stated.