26 August, 2005 - Published 14:47 GMT

Government bows to Supreme Court

Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has ruled that President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s term ends in December, with fresh elections to be held soon.

The government spokesman and health minister, Nimal Siripala de Silva said, “We abide by the Supreme Court decision.”

The minister said that, unlike the United National Party, they would not throw stones at the judges who deliver decisions they do not like.

He said ‘We are not a party like that! We are a party with a democratic tradition and who respect the judiciary, so therefore we abide by the decision of the Supreme Court”.

Previously the government has been campaigning for presidential elections to be held the next year.When questioned on the validity of earlier claims De silva Said “there could always be different versions on constitutional and legal matters and now what matters is the supreme court decision.

The Health Minister said ‘Our endeavour towards the peace process will continue. So our government, will continue because we are confident that we can push through legislation in parliament as we have done in the past two three months though we are a minority government’’.