Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court overturns sacking of parliament

Sri Lanka‘s Supreme Court has ruled President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to dissolve parliament was unconstitutional, dealing a severe blow to the embattled leader in his power struggle with an elected prime minister. 

A seven-judge bench unanimously ruled on Thursday that Sirisena cannot sack the 225-member House before four-and-a-half years have passed since its election.

The court also said the president’s decision to call snap elections was illegal.

The much-anticipated ruling came seven weeks into a protracted political crisis, which began on October 26 when Sirisena sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and replaced him with Mahinda Rajapaksa, a controversial former president. 

On November 9, Sirisena dissolved parliament, but the Supreme Court issued an interim ruling suspending the decree and restoring parliament, which almost immediately passed a no-confidence motion against Rajapaksa. 

The final verdict on Thursday means parliament elections will be held as scheduled after February 2020, and raises the possibility of Wickremesinghe being reinstated as prime minister as his coalition enjoys a majority in parliament.

In a Twitter post, Wickremesinghe said he hoped Sirisena will “promptly respect the judgement of the courts”. 

“The legislature, judiciary, and the executive are equally important pillars of a democracy and the checks and balances that they provide are crucial to ensuring sovreignty of its citizens.” 

The deposed leader’s supporters celebrated the verdict by lighting firecrackers outside the Supreme Court complex.  

His United National Party has said it would await the outcome of Thursday’s decision before deciding whether to open impeachment proceedings against Sirisena.

Namal Rajapaksa, a legislator from Sirisena’s coalition, said they respected the Supreme Court’s decision, despite “reservations regarding its interpretation”. 

He added in a Twitter post: “We will continue to stand alongside those calling for a parliamentary election, without which there is no real justice.” 

Meanwhile, the legislature on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to demand the reinstatement of Wickremesinghe as the power struggle headed for a government shut down within weeks.   

Members of the deposed leader’s party and their allies voted 117-0 asking Sirisena to restore the status quo prior to October 26 when he dismissed his former ally.

A court of appeal has also prevented Rajapakse and his disputed cabinet exercising the powers they claim until they can prove their legitimacy. 

SOURCE:
Al Jazeera and news agencies