The Supreme Court today (13) will resume hearing the petitions filed challenging the President’s decision to dissolve the Parliament.

President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday called snap elections and dissolved the legislature, two weeks after sacking the Prime Minister and installing the divisive Mahinda Rajapaksa in his place.

Thirteen fundamental rights petitions were filed at the Supreme Court asking it to declare that the President’s order to dissolve the parliament is illegal.

The petitions have been filed by political parties including United National Party (UNP), Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) and the All Ceylon People’s Congress, as well as other parties such as the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), Attorney Aruna Laksiri and also a member of Elections Commission Prof. S. R. H. Hoole.

The petitions were taken up before a three-member judge bench comprising Chief Justice Nalin Perera and Supreme Court judges Priyantha Jayawardena and Prasanna Jayawardena.

The hearing of 10 out of 13 petitions have reportedly already been completed while the bench posted the matter for further hearing at 10.00 am today (13).

Ada Derana reporter said that the Attorney General is expected to make submission today.

TNA spokesman MA Sumanthiran said the Supreme Court had agreed to rake up the petitions immediately considering the importance of the issue.

“We are also asking for an interim order for an injunction against preparations for the election, which would be two years ahead of schedule,” Sumanthiran said.

Foreign Minister Sarath Amunugama reportedly told Colombo-based diplomats yesterday that he expected a verdict within five days.

Legal experts say the dissolved Parliament would have to be restored if the Supreme Court holds with the petitioners. If not, the January 5 election will have to go ahead.

Independent election monitors have also questioned the legality of the snap poll announced by Sirisena.