SC: Sirisena violated constitution

Lanka’s Supreme Court yesterday ruled that President Maithripala Sirisena’s sacking of parliament last month was illegal, clearing the way for potential impeachment proceedings against him.

The ruling is a major blow to Sirisena, seven weeks into a major political crisis in the island nation that has sparked alarm abroad.

The seven-judge bench unanimously decided that Sirisena violated the constitution when he dissolved parliament last month and called a snap election nearly two years ahead of schedule.