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by Bope Special Correspondent

Summoning Parliament before the scheduled date is not possible, said Justice Minister Batty Weerakoon.

"Just because an election is held, the law does not change. According to the present Constitution the most powerful executive in Government is none other than the President," Weerakoon said addressing a seminar in Homagama.

"Just because a general election is being held there is no one to equal her power even in Parliament. Her powers extend to the full period she is President. It is she who appoints the Prime Minister and Ministers and even summons Parliament. This is a wonderful Constitution," said Minister Weerakoon.

"Some people say they will summon Parliament on such and such a date. That is not possible. It is the President who will summon Parliament. You must discharge your responsibility to ensure that every one can exercise their vote freely."

It is because many candidates and their supporters flout the election laws that there are clashes at the village level. These problems could be tackled by the Grama Sevakas, the Police and the Buddhist Clergy interacting together. Justices of Peace also have an important role to play. This is the first election after the passage of the 17th amendment to the Constitution. The task of giving instructions to Police on election matters falls on the Commissioner of Elections. Though Parliament is dissolved, it doesn't mean there is no Government. Ministers remain in office. Their office ends only after the election, said Minister Weerakoon.

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