Sri Lanka's Supreme Court on Thursday ruled President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to dissolve parliament ahead of its term as illegal. 

“President can't dissolve parliament before four-and-half years,” Supreme Court Judge Sisira de Abrew said.

On November 9, Sirisena dissolved parliament and called a general election for January 5, shortly after sacking Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and naming opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa to the post.

Wickremesinghe declared the dismissal an “undemocratic coup” and refused to vacate the prime ministerial residence for opposition leader Rajapaksa. 

Since then, the country has been embroiled in a political impasse since Rajapaksa has been unable to convince enough members of Parliament to confirm his prime ministership and Sirisena has refused to reappoint Wickremesinghe as prime minister. 

The court verdict means parliament elections will be held as scheduled after February 2020 and raises the possibility of Wickremesinghe being reinstated as prime minister since his coalition enjoys a majority in parliament.

(Top image: A supporter of ousted Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe holds a flare, shouting slogans with other supporters as they celebrate Sri Lanka's Supreme Court ruling, December 13, 2018. /VCG Photo)