Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court on Tuesday temporarily stayed president Maithripala Sirisena’s order to dissolve parliament, as political turmoil on the island continues.
The court said that hearings for a decision on the legality of parliament’s dissolution will be fixed for December, 5, 6 and 7.
Political parties including the United National Party (UNP), Janantha Vimukthi Permanuna (JVP), the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) and the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and civil society organisations filed petitions with the court, challenging Sirisena’s move.
Hundreds of heavily armed policemen looked on as supporters of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe gathered outside the court complex on Tuesday, where they celebrated the court’s decision.
The court order comes after Sirisena issued a gazette notification dissolving parliament on Friday.
Following the supreme court stay order, parliamentary speaker Karu Jayasuriya is expected to announce the reconvening of parliament.
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