Setback for President Sirisena as Lankan Supreme Court overturns his order to sack parliament

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NEW DELHI: The dissolution of the Sri Lankan Parliament by President Maithripala Sirisena was stayed by Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court for snap polls on January 5 and further deepening the political crisis in the coastal nation.The three-judge bench headed by chief justice gave its ruling this evening on petitions against the President Maithripala Sirisena’s Gazette to dissolve parliament. After hearing 11 petitioners and respondents for two days, the top court suspended until December 7, the proclamation issued by Mr. Sirisena last week sacking the legislature and calling for elections on January 5. Sri Lanka has been facing political turmoil since October 26, when President Sirisena sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, and appointed former president Mahinda Rajapaksa to the post. The ruling means parliament could go ahead with a vote to test if Sirisena’s controversial nominee is able to summon a majority in the 225-member assembly and force Wickremesinghe from office. 

Following the SC’s decision, Sirisena will have to appoint a prime minister and the national elections may not happen soon. United National Party (UNP) led by ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe welcomed the decision terming it as the end of the coup.

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