Sri Lanka Court Rules President’s Sacking of Parliament Illegal

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court ruled Thursday that President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to dissolve parliament ahead of its term is illegal — a blow to the embattled leader in his face off with an elected premier.

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The court’s verdict confirms that parliamentary elections will be held as scheduled after February 2020 and raises the possibility of Wickremesinghe becoming reinstated as prime minister as his coalition maintains a majority in parliament.

Sirisena dissolved parliament on Nov. 9 and called a general election for Jan. 5 days after sacking Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and naming opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa to the post.

However, with this ruling, the court has rejected that decision. Supreme Court Judge Sisira de Abrew said that the "President can't dissolve parliament before four-and-half years."

The island, off the southeast coast of India, has been riddled with political turmoil since President Sirisena, dissolved parliament, ousted then-Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinge, and replaced him with Rajapaksa on Oct. 26.

Former President Rajapaksa is largely viewed as a hero for resolving a decades-long conflict with Tamil rebels. But, the leader has also been accused of human rights atrocities during the war, which he denies.

Sirisena has faced international criticism for the move, which critics say plunged the country into crisis at a time when economic growth is at its weakest pace in 16 years.