Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has sought Supreme Court opinion on whether he can stay in office for six years till 2021.

The matter has been listed on Thursday for hearing.

This comes amidst claims of Sirisena’s term ending in 2020 as the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, brought after his election in 2015, reduced President’s office to five years from six.

In his communication to the Chief Justice, President Sirisena has asked whether in terms of Provisions of the Constitution, he has any impediment to continue in office for a period of 6 years from 9 January 2015, the date on which the result of his election was declared.

He has asked for a response to be submitted to him on or before January 14.