Elections Commissions Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya is likely to wait for the Supreme Court’s opinion on the legality of the dissolution of Parliament before proceeding with preparations for a General Election, Colombo Telegraph learns.

Election Commissionors

Deshapriya told media that he would wait for the Supreme Court’s opinion on the legality of the dissolution of Parliament before proceeding with preparations for a General Election.

Deshapriya said the Elections Commission was not in a position to hold an election when Parliament is dissolved illegally. In such circumstances, Deshapriya said, he required the Supreme Court’s opinion on the legality of the dissolution before proceeding with the election.

Sirisena, when he signed the gazette announcing the premature dissolution of the legislature, grossly violated the provisions of the 19th Amendment to the constitution – which he architected in April 2015.

Strong arguments have been presented against the dissolution of Parliament saying the President has no constitutional power to do so, before four and a half years into a Parliamentary term, as stipulated by the 19th Amendment.

Update – Speaking to Colombo Telegraph, Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said he never made such a comment to Lanka Enews nor was he contacted by the website, at any point, on the matter. However, his brother, journalist Sunanda Deshapriya tweeted the story reported by Lanka Enews expressing confidence that the Elections Commission Chairman would seek the opinion of the Supreme Court before proceeding with an election. Meanwhile, sources within the Elections Commission told Colombo Telegraph that the members of the Commission have arrived at a unanimous understanding that they would not hold an election in violation of the constitution.