In a major development, Attorney General Jayantha Jayasuriya, in his submissions before the Supreme Court during the hearing of the multiple petitions filed against the dissolution of Parliament,  suggested that the President is vested with 'plenary executive power' not restrained by Article 70. 

According to the Attorney General, the plenary executive power of the President was not pruned by the 19th Amendment, and can only be pruned by a referendum.

The Attorney General's submission today sharply contradicted President Maithripala Sirisena's often repeated claims that he curtailed his own powers through the 19th Amendment to the constitution. 

Jayasuriya also admitted in the Supreme Court that he received instructions from President Sirisena, but denied his opinion was meant to favour the President. R

In his submissions, he also requested the Supreme Court to dismiss all petitions filed against the dissolution, as President's action is consistent with the Constitution.

"Even if the Supreme Court feels there is a violation, the court has the discretion not to grant the interim relief asked for, as this is an FR case," Jayasuriya said.