What is the judgement? -- President's decision is wrong ... government continues

What is the judgement? -- President's decision is wrong ... government continues

5.04 pm - Update

The court judgement about which the whole country has focused on has been announced a short while before this. According to that judgement it was decided that the President's decision was wrong and that according to the constitution the President has no right to dissolve parliament in that manner. Therefore, it was confirmed y courts tat the President has forwarded a gazette notification contrary to the constitution.

It was further stated that President has no right to dissolve parliament before four and a half years and

in order to take action to the contrary, a majority of 2/3rds is warranted in parliament. With this judgement the President would have to carry on with the government for another one and a half years. As such, the President would hereon have to appoint a Prime Minister and a cabinet in a formal manner.

4.50 pm - Update

The bench of judges have come to court No. 502 and taken their seats. The case is proceeding.

4.30 pm - Update

It is reported that court No. 502 is awaiting the arrival of the bench of judges and that the hearing has not begun. A large number of pale has gathered outside the court hall.

3.50 pm - Update

When the Supreme Court judgement is to be announced today as to whether the gazette released to dissolve parliament is right or not,  special protection is afforded around Supreme Court Complex. The said judgement is to be issued by Chief Justice Mr. Nalin Perera and a seven-member bench of judges to inquire the petition filed saying that the decision taken by the President to dissolve parliament is against the law.

The United National Party, Tamil National Alliance, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, All Island Makkal Congress, Mano Ganeshan, Rathnajeevan Hoole, a representative of Sri Lanka Election Commission together with 13 parties have filed a petition of fundamental rights in the presence of Supreme Court on November 12th saying that their fundamental rights were violated by the gazette released that parliament would be dissolved by President Mr. Maithripala Sirisena on November 9th. 

As such, the said petition was taken in for hearing by the seven-bench of judges comprising Chief Justice Nalin Perera, Priyantha Jayawardena, Sisira de Abrew, Vijith Malalgoda, Buvaneka Aluvihare and Murdu Fernando. Subsequently, the said petition was considered by Supreme Court on November 12th and 13th. Therefore, it was decided by Supreme Court to inquire into the petition concerned on 4th, 5th and 6th.

The petition was inquired into by Supreme Court on December 7th and on that occasion what was decided upon by Supreme Court was that until the judgement of interim order issued by Supreme Court would be extended temporarily suspending the gazette notification of President dissolving parliament. As such, the judgement on the petition filed saying that parliament being dissolved by President is against the constitution is expected to be announced at 4 o'clock this evening according to an announcement of secretarial office of Supreme Court released this morning.

Most members of the public had kept their fingers crossed about the response of President after the judgement by Supreme Court today to the effect that President Maithripala Sirisena has dissolved parliament in an illegitimate manner.