Sri Lankan Supreme Court overrules dissolution of parliament, opening way for vote on earlier ousting of prime minister
- In the latest twist in a weeks-long power struggle, the court also halted preparations for a snap election called by President Maithripala Sirisena
- Parliament could meet as early as Wednesday to decide which of two duelling prime ministers it backs
Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court on Tuesday overruled President Maithripala Sirisena’s dissolution of parliament in a major boost to sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s fight to reclaim the post from an arch-rival.
The heavily guarded court also halted preparations for a snap election in the latest twist in a power struggle that began when Sirisena dismissed Wickremesinghe on October 26 and replaced him with former strongman president Mahinda Rajapakse.
The 225-member parliament could meet as early as Wednesday to decide which of the duelling pair it backs.
Amid mounting international concern, Wickremesinghe has refused to accept his sacking and has remained in his official residence while Rajapakse has sought to build a parallel administration.
I will go to parliament tomorrow and we will show we are the legitimate government of Sri Lanka
Wickremesinghe’s United National Party (UNP) is the largest single party in the assembly. He told reporters that he expected the legislature to meet Wednesday, as was scheduled before Sirisena dissolved the body to prevent a majority test.