WHY CONSTITUTIONS MATTER:

Court says Sri Lanka election due (BBC, 8/25/05)

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court has ruled that President Chandrika Kumaratunga's term ends in December, paving the way for elections to be held.

Elections are now expected to be held in October or November.

Ms Kumaratunga won a second six year term after a snap poll a year early in late 1999.

But she has argued that the left-over year from her earlier term should mean that she is entitled to stay in office for another year.

The BBC's Dumeetha Luthra says the decision is a bitter defeat for President Kumaratunga.

Under Sri Lanka's constitution, she cannot stand in elections for a third term.